No limits have been set on Calder United for its inaugural Football Federation Victoria women’s NPL campaign.
United has all but secured its spot in the finals, and is considered as good a shot as any to take out the title.
“Our sights are set on going as far as we can,” United coach Mark Torcaso told Star Weekly.
“You want to be as successful as you can in the first year, so you set the example early.”
Calder United remains in the running for the minor premiership, despite a disappointing 2-0 loss to Box Hill United at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
United dropped to third on the ladder, four points behind the ladder-leading Bulleen Lions, but have two games in hand.
Torcaso is focused on getting the best outcome for his side to succeed into the finals, and the minor premiership is secondary.
“The Australian way is a finals series, so that’s more important to people than the minor premiership,” he said.
Calder United is easily the most balanced team in the competition. They are ranked third for goals scored and first in goals conceded.
Striker Rachel Alonso gives United an attacking punch with 14 goals, second only to Alamein’s Melina Ayres (19).
But what underpins Calder United’s title dream is its unmatched defence. United is incredibly tough to break down, particularly since the acquisition of US import Kasha Meyer.
Meyer has shown her value in a short space of time, alongside defensive regulars Tyla Vlajnic and Stacey Papadopoulos.
“She’s been a massive acquisition,” Torcaso said. “She’s a six-foot central defender who has come out of the college system, which is a professional environment. She’s brought in a massive amount of experience and quality.”
While Meyer has been a handy import, Calder United is genuinely the team for elite women’s soccer players in the north-west, the bulk of whom are sourced from clubs in the area, showing the strength of the region on the back of a successful first season.
“Our juniors teams, right up to the senior teams, are all very successful,” Torcaso said. “It’s a credit to all those community clubs in the area; they’ve done a lot of work on developing these players, and Calder is lucky enough to secure the best of the best within the area.”
The goal for many of these talented Calder United players is to make it to the W-League. United has 12 players hoping for a contract with Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.
Lance Jenkinson
