WU20 PENNO Vs Sydney Uni 2

WU20 -R17 15 Aug 2026 Sat - 09:00 am - MKO2 - Lower Ground
G B Score PENNO 12 8 80 Sydney Uni 2 3 2 20					G B QT ST 2 1 13 13 2 1 13 13					G B QT ST 3 4 22 35 0 0 0 13					G B QT ST 5 2 32 67 0 1 1 14					G B QT ST 2 1 13 80 1 0 6 20
Best Players Sierra Timms Kate Hall Amber Reveley Maddison Kernaghan Sophie King Mollie Faehrmann
Goal Scorers Sophie King - 1 Lily Cranwell - 1 Alayna Dunne - 1 Amber Reveley - 1 Zoe Winn - 3 Maddison Kernaghan - 4 Stephanie Este - 1

The penultimate game of the season presented another important test for our inaugural Under 20's side. Sitting on the edge of finals, we knew this would tell us plenty about where our group is heading. With a blend of Northwest Lightning Legends, potentially playing their last game for us this year, players who only discovered football this season, and a handful of experienced 100+ game veterans, we had a team that reflected exactly what this program is all about – developing together.

Q1 – Arm Wrestle
For one of the first times in recent weeks, we exploded out of the blocks. Within the opening minute we had our first major on the board and immediately put USYD-2 under pressure. Our work at the contest was outstanding, although at times we found ourselves crowding the ball and making the next disposal more difficult than it needed to be.

USYD responded well, wrestled back momentum and kicked two scores of their own to level proceedings before edging in front late in the term. Rather than dropping our heads, we answered with another goal inside the final four minutes to ensure the quarter finished exactly where it deserved. An absorbing arm wrestle with neither side able to establish control.

Quarter Time
Pennant Hills 2.1 (13)
USYD-2 2.1 (13)

Q2 – Check In
The message at quarter time was simple. We were winning enough football, but we were making life difficult for ourselves by compressing the space around the contest. Better spacing would create better options. With Dusty (Mollie) and Beamish (Amber) leading the way around stoppages, we started finding that extra metre or two of space. Suddenly our ball movement opened up.

The football flowed with purpose, our forwards were rewarded with quality entries, and the scoreboard quickly reflected the shift. Seven scoring shots to none made this quarter completely ours and highlighted just how effective small adjustments can be when everyone buys into them.

Half Time
Pennant Hills 5.5 (35)
USYD-2 2.1 (13)

Half Time – Refinements
The focus at the main break remained exactly the same. Avoid crowding that D1/A1 space around the ball. We spoke about onion rings, concentric circles and the ripples created by dropping a pebble into water—anything that might help visualise the spacing we were after.

Whether it was the coaching message or simply everyone thinking about Shrek ("Ogres are like onions... onions have layers!"), something certainly clicked.

Q3 – Keep Your Space
Our ball winning and transition football reached another level during the third term. Sierra worked tirelessly both through the wing and as an on-baller, linking brilliantly with a midfield group that was beginning to understand exactly where everyone needed to be. Up forward, Stevie (Maddie) and Ned (Sophie) became constant targets, while our movement into attack looked increasingly composed.

Behind the ball, Deck (Kate Hall), Donney (Lucy) and Sunny (Kate Crean) combined superbly to repel repeated USYD entries and launch our rebound game. The most pleasing aspect from the coaching box wasn't simply the six scoring shots—it was seeing our midfield naturally creating those layers around the contest that we'd spoken about all morning. Sometimes learning becomes visible. This quarter was one of those moments.

Three Quarter Time
Pennant Hills 10.7 (67)
USYD-2 3.2 (20)

Q4 – Versatility
With the result largely in hand, we challenged several players to experience unfamiliar roles. Developing footballers isn't just about becoming better in one position. It's about understanding the game from different perspectives. Giving a defender time forward or a winger an opportunity around the ball builds knowledge that eventually makes them better players regardless of where they line up.

Our ball movement continued to create opportunities, and we added another three scoring shots, while USYD-2 refused to give in, finishing with a deserved final goal. They competed until the final siren and made us earn every moment.

Final Score
Pennant Hills 12.8 (80)
USYD-2 3.2 (20)

Our Best
• Sierra Timms
• Kate Hall
• Amber Reveley
• Maddison Kernaghan
• Sophie King
• Mollie Faerhrmann

Goal Scorers
Maddison Kernaghan (4)
Zoe Winn (3)
Sophie King (1), Lily Cranwell (1), Alayna Dunne (1), Amber Reveley (1), Steph Este (1)

Final Words
When this journey began, simply fielding an Under 20's team every week felt like success. Now, one season later, we're knocking on the door of finals. That isn't an accident. It's the result of a remarkable group of young women embracing the challenge, supporting one another and committing to building something bigger than themselves.

This season has never just been about wins and losses. It's been about proving that a genuine pathway can exist—from Northwest Lightning 15's, to 17's, into Pennant Hills Under 20's, and beyond. The foundations are now firmly in place. The future of our women's program has never looked brighter, and plans for 2027 are already taking shape.

We're not finished yet. But whatever happens over the coming weeks, this group has already achieved something special.

Train together. Play together. Have fun together. This is just the beginning.