The Women's Summer Cup kicked off on Sunday, with the opening pair of fixtures played at Olinda Grove that saw South Hobart and the Clarence Zebras walking away with the first points of season 2020.
The Summer Cup competition comprises of two groups of three teams, with each side playing the other 2 sides in their group and the respective group winners then meeting in the Summer Cup Final.
In Group A, it was a closely fought encounter between South Hobart and Kingborough Lions, with South running out narrow 3-2 victors. Goals from Charlotte Ingram and Eve Swain had South 2-0 ahead at the half before the Lions talisman Laura Davis did what she does best and led her side back into the game with a well taken brace in the second half. With scores locked at 2-2, it was Nikki Moutsatsos who proved match winner when she scored late on in the piece to secure the 3-2 win for South.
The victory shows that things are looking up for South Hobart, after they endured a tough 2019 WSL campaign, beset by a combination of injuries and player departures that saw them finishing bottom of the table. For the Lions, it makes a repeat visit to the Summer Cup final unlikely, as they would need to beat Olympia and then hope that South do likewise. Olympia had the bye this week and played a friendly with Beachside, winning that 15-0 and showing why they will still be the overwhelming favourites to progress out of Group A.
In group B, the Clarence Zebras have sent an ominous message to the rest of the Women's Super League as they brushed aside University 15-0. After winning the title in a thrilling final day fixture against Olympia last season, the amalgamation of the Hobart Zebras and Clarence United has only strengthened this Zebras side, adding in the likes of Zara Dixon and Amelia Vanderniet and with a few other new recruits in the mix they will be the heavy favorites to defend their Super League crown in 2020.
University did well to stick with them in the first half, reaching the break at 3-0 down despite being on the back foot for the majority of the half. But the Zebras clicked into gear in the second half and started scoring freely, piling on the goals in a demonstration of the overwhelming offensive firepower that Chris Hey has at his disposal this season. Zoe Nichols and Georgia Burt both ended the game with hat-tricks whilst Allie Berry, Danielle Kannegiesser and new signing Bronte Gadon all chimed in with braces.
For University it was a baptism of fire, they certainly didn't have contend with sides like Zebras in the Championship last season and it shows the steep step up in competition they will face by ascending into the WSL this year.