Shootout loss pain to be a spur for Galaxy

GEELONG Galaxy keeper Emily Kenshole has said it will take a significant amount of time to overcome the heartache of losing Sunday’s thrilling WNPL final to South Melbourne.

The Galaxy found themselves 2-0 down before levelling the scores in the second half and came back again in extra-time to force a penalty shootout.

Despite stellar work from Kenshole in goal, South prevailed to make it consecutive finals losses for Galaxy and the keeper said the pain her teammates were feeling would be with them for a long time.

“Last year’s grand final we were up 2-0 and Calder came back, so when we were down 2-0 we knew we could do it,” she said.

“But it’s so painful, it’s a lot harder this year considering we went all the way to penalties and we lost 5-4.

“Nothing hurts more than that after you’ve pushed all the way and not getting the result from it.”

Kenshole, who has spent time with Melbourne Victory’s W-League side, was one of the key reasons Geelong was able to stay in the match for as long as it did.

Her ability to stop several shots on target late in extra time helped Galaxy force the final into penalties, where she began to shine.

At 2-3 down and having to make what would have been two matchwinning saves, the 18-year-old guessed correctly to deny South stars Lisa De Vanna and Alex Gummer.

But when Leigh Gray’s shot was stopped by South keeper Molly-May Ramsay it was all over, and Kenshole was keen to downplay her role in proceedings.

“I don’t think about anything else, I don’t think about what the score is, all I think about is me and the ball, and picking a way and that’s basically all you can do,” she said.

“Once you pick a side you stick with that and obviously I got it right twice and they were two crucial saves.

“It’s extremely difficult because it’s just a gamble but saving Lisa De Vanna and Alex Gummer, that was definitely pretty memorable.”

Kenshole said she was hoping to spend the summer training with Victory and added the Galaxy would be back for a title crack in 2018.

“Considering we’ve lost it twice we really want to win it next year,” she said. “Hopefully it’s third time lucky.”