By Lance Jenkinson
Calder United stands on the verge of creating its own epic slice of history.
The Victorian women’s soccer powerhouse will meet Box Hill United in the Nike FC Cup final at CB Smith Reserve on Sunday evening, aiming to become the competition’s first three-peat winner.
The final will feature the same two teams that starred in last season’s decider, in which Calder beat Box Hill United 3-1 to become the first back-to-back winner of the competition.
Calder president Eric Psarianos can sense a real hunger in his camp to secure a third title in a row.
“Winning three in a-row is unprecedented,” he said.
“The girls are pretty focused and want to create a bit of history. This would be pretty special for them.”
On the other side of the equation, Box Hill United is going to provide a hell of a test.
Is there a better motivating factor than redemption?
Box Hill gets that chance after last year’s gut-wrenching loss.
“I’m sure Box Hill will be gunning for us,” Psarianos said.
“They’ll want to get one back after we beat them last year.”
Box Hill United is a better team than it was 12 months ago.
The club recruited strongly in the off season and has the experience of a final to draw upon, an advantage Calder had over it last season after beating FC Bulleen Lions in the 2017 final.
“They’ve got a lot of new players and they’ve also got those players that were there last year who have developed,” Psarianos said.
“They’re building and they’re getting stronger.
“I think they will be tougher. They will be hungry for it, as well, having lost it last year.
“That can be a pretty good motivator in itself.”
Calder has also improved and is a better side than 12 months ago – a scary proposition as it aims to win all trophies on offer this season.
Coach Mark Torcaso has used the earlier rounds of the Nike FC Cup to get playing time into some of the younger players with stunning results.
Polly Doran, Alana Burn and Raquel Deralas have emerged, while under-19s Alana Cerne and Caitlin O’Bryan have got a taste of first team football.
“Last year, we fell short in the league and I think the depth is what cost us,” Psarianos
said.
“This year, that depth has been plugged well and truly.
“We don’t seem to miss a beat whichever starting XI is on the field – we seem to get the job done.”
A crowd of more than 1500 is being tipped to attend the cup final at CB Smith Reserve in Fawkner.
As the designated away team for the final, Calder United will step away from its predominantly navy blue shirt and wear a non-traditional red-and-black away shirt as a nod to the support of major sponsor Red Energy, while Box Hill play in its traditional blue.
“There’s real excitement building around the club,” Psarianos said.
