SENIOR woMEN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 2026 & runners up in browne-hu

SWANS COME FROM BEHIND TO DENY FALCONS HISTORIC CUP DOUBLE
Score: Falcons 2000 1-4 Sale United

Sale United have won their fifth consecutive Browne-Huizer Cup after overcoming Falcons 2000 4-1 in the final at Burrage Reserve, denying the newly-crowned league champions a historic League-Cup double.

The result capped a memorable season for both clubs and produced a final worthy of the occasion, with Falcons taking the lead before Sale turned the match around with four unanswered goals.

The Swans are now the only Gippsland club in men’s or women’s soccer to have won a major trophy five straight times.

Rob Guarascio's Falcons had already secured the FV Latrobe Valley Women's League undefeated, then swept aside Traralgon City 6-0 in the semi-final to reach the final for the first time.

Sale had defeated Monash 6-0 in their semi-final and were seeking to add another Browne-Huizer Cup to an extraordinary run of success in the competition.

It was Falcons who made the brighter start, dominating the contest from the opening whistle, with the match being entirely played in and around Sale’s penalty box during the opening half-hour.

Golden Boot winner Monique Lapenta opened the scoring in the 24th minute, giving the league champions an early advantage and continuing her outstanding contribution to the club's cup campaign.

However, Sale had done incredibly well to be only a goal down having defended so much - and that saw them grow in confidence as the match wore on.

The equaliser arrived in the 37th minute, with Madelaine Breakspear finding the net with a floating, long-range effort to bring Sale level at 1-1.

But the second half belonged to the Swans, and it was who else but Breakspear who struck again in the 52nd minute.

Standing over a free kick from 25 yards out, Breakspear let fly with an absolute rocket that gave Falcons goalkeeper Rebekah Poynton no chance.

The momentum continued just three minutes later when Hollie Ryan scored in the 55th minute to make it 3-1.

Falcons were now faced with the task of scoring twice simply to force their way back into the contest, while Sale’s legion of travelling fans began to roar with belief as they sensed victory.

The decisive fourth goal arrived in the 76th minute, with Eden Fullerton extending Sale's lead to 4-1.

It completed a remarkable turnaround from the Swans, who not only trailed in this match but were twice beaten by Falcons during the regular season – including a 9-0 bloodbath in Morwell.

For Falcons, the defeat brings a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise outstanding campaign, with post-match talk in the changerooms already forecasting how they can improve next year.

But the day belonged to Sale United, and especially to Madelaine Breakspear, who spectacularly franked the ‘Legend’ Status she was granted by the Latrobe Valley Soccer League Hall of Fame at the start of the year.

Venue: Harold Preston Reserve
Final score: Falcons 2000 1-4 Sale United
Falcons 2000 Goal: Monique Lapenta 24'
Sale United Goals: Madelaine Breakspear 37', 52'; Hollie Ryan 55'; Eden Fullerton 76'

Falcons 2000: Rebekah Poynton (GK), Sheeny Whadcoat, Arielle Crivari, Madison Rossi, Dakota Cook, Malaya Noppert, Sofia Crivari, Talia Cook, Jade Derham, Savannah Lapenta, Monique Lapenta.
Subs: Keziah Gabrielle Paguntalan, Kujile Mahammud, Lexi Prichard, Molly Claassens, Sophie Jarvis, Stephanie Dalton.

Sale United: Breanna Taylor, Soreti Anderson, Indee Ryan, Hollie Ryan, Madelaine Breakspear, Tara Howell, Karlee Pulsfod, Tori Watson, Tahlia Hutchins, Kaitlyn Taylor, Rohanna Mills.

Subs: Emily Blain, Gabrielle Hutchins, Eden Fullerton, Chelsea Page, Jasmine Smith, Teagan Fairbrother.

Coaches:
Falcons 2000: Rob Guarascio
Sale United: Madelaine Breakspear.