Calder United will have to take the long route back to the Women’s National Premier League Victoria grand final.
The reigning champions were beaten 4-2 in extra time by this season’s minor premiers South Melbourne in the qualifying final at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday.
Calder made a flying start, taking the lead after just one minute when Cindy Lay chipped the goalkeeper to score.
The lead stood at half-time, but not for long. South Melbourne found an equaliser through Tiffany Elliadis in the 61st minute.
Three minutes later, South took the lead when Melina Ayres found the back of the net.
Calder would find the goal to take the game to extra time through Marie Rampal in the 73rd minute.
The sides went into the extra 30 minutes locked on 2-2, but South Melbourne would run out the game the better.
Natalie Martineau broke the deadlock for South in the 97th minute before Ayres put the game out of reach with her second goal in the 117th.
Calder will face Geelong Galaxy United in the preliminary final.
The winner will face South Melbourne in the season decider.
