All four Cootamundra soccer teams found themselves up against fierce competition as interest, spirit and enthusiasm in the sport ramps up ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Coota Strikers Women’s Team coach, Ash Rogers, says the team played incredibly well, conceding 1-0 to the South Wagga Warriers with only 10 players available for the remainder of the second half.
It was on the 75th minute that the Warriers were able to score a goal.
Despite the loss, Ash says there was some incredible playing on show.
“Laura Rixon did amazing today with another round in goals,” she says.
“Madi Robinson played out of her skin today with being solid out of the back line.
“Bella Robinson was shifted around the park with being in the backline and then being shimmied up front.”
As for the team’s forwards, Ash says Hailey Freer and Louise Raleigh did an amazing job at trying to find the back of the net, with some notable long shots made by Heidi Parkinson and Jada Parkinson.
On the backline and in the midfield, Tracy Schwarze and Lauren McDonald kept the pressure on Wagga during the entire game.
“Those two ladies kept their tickets going game in, game out,” says Ash.
“Sheree Shaw and Tala Schwarze also played very, very well, continuing to show strength and stamina as they progress within their minutes week in, week out.”
The Men’s White team found tough competition against the Lake Albert Soccer Team, conceding 0-2.
The Men’s Blue Team put up a fight against Charles Sturt FC but eventually conceded 5-2 against the team.
For their Round 7 match against Henwood Park, the U16s team brought their A-game, taking home a 1-1 tie home for the Strikers.
As the world reaches a new type of soccer fever, training sessions and matches may appear a little more intense with idols such as Mathew Leckie, Connor Metcalfe and Cristian Volpato representing Australia at the World Cup.
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