Pennock's brace wins Mariners ALW eliminator
Central Coast booked a two-leg semi-final against Melbourne City, with the first match to be played in Gosford on Saturday afternoon.
Monday night's match at Gosford's Industree Group Stadium was pushed back from Sunday after a waterlogged pitch made the surface unplayable.
Central Coast had more than 60 per cent possession in each half, but Canberra looked more threatening on the counter attack In the first 45 minutes.
Matildas stalwart Heyman opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, arrowing a fine shot into the net after out-muscling Mariners captain Taren King, who was playing her first match of the season after a knee reconstruction.
WOW! ONE OF THE FINEST NINJA A-LEAGUE GOALS YOU'LL SEE 🤯🔥Jade Pennock whips in an absolute stunner to complete her double in the Elimination Final. Pure class 👏📺 Watch #CCMvCBR live NOW on Paramount+ or 10 Play. pic.twitter.com/VgIItQ0tyI
— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) April 28, 2025
Heyman, who turns 37 in July, boosted her team-leading goal tally for the season to eight and became the oldest player to score in an ALW finals game.
It took the Mariners just 22 seconds of the second half to equalise
A Tiana Fuller cross to the far post was headed across goal by Annabel Martin for the centrally positioned Pennock to fire home.
"Good on them to come out firing. We knew they were going to, but we were just hoping it wasn't that quick," Heyman told Paramount Plus and 10 Bold.
Canberra were not as dangerous after halftime and Pennock settled the game with a sumptuous 74th minute strike, rifling a right foot shot from the edge of the penalty area past United goalkeeper Sally James.
Pennock had scored just five goals from 71 shots before Monday's game.
"I was disappointed in the last game. I had a few chances that I think I should have scored and I didn't put away, so I've worked hard all week in training," Pennock said.
The Mariners have made the semi-finals in each of their first two season back In the competition.
They will play unbeaten minor premiers Melbourne City at home on Saturday In the first leg of their semi.
One big watch for the Mariners is Taylor Ray, who hobbled off with a knee injury shortly before the end.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
New Seattle slugger Josh Naylor plugged into cleanup spot behind Raleigh for debut against Angels
Associated Press ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Pressure is a privilege in the eyes of new Seattle Mariners slugger Josh Naylor. Naylor is looking forward to the opportunity to bat cleanup in his first game with Seattle against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. 'I love the word pressure,' said Naylor, a first baseman who was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for two pitching prospects on Thursday. 'I think it's a gift, a position God puts you in because he knows you can handle it.' The left-handed hitting Naylor likely won't win a Gold Glove at first base. But, he has always been able to handle the bat. The 28-year-old Naylor is a career .267 hitter with a .773 OPS in seven big-league seasons. He joins the Mariners after hitting .292 with an .807 OPS, 11 homers, 19 doubles, 59 RBIs, 49 strikeouts and 37 walks in 93 games with the D-Backs this season. Naylor, who played in 19 playoff games with the Cleveland Guardians, is also a career .294 hitter with an .846 OPS with runners in scoring position. He entered Friday with a .298 average (28 for 94) and .810 OPS in those situations this season. That track record earned Naylor a prime position in Seattle's lineup behind No. 3 hitter Cal Raleigh, who entered Friday as the MLB leader with 39 homers and tied for second 84 RBIs. Seattle's No. 5 hitter is Randy Arozarena, who entered Friday with 19 homers and 51 RBIs. 'I think he's a good fit (in the cleanup spot) because of the way he swings the bat,' Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. 'He's a guy who is going to have a great approach in those RBI situations. 'He's been through a lot. I've seen some (of his) postseasons, so he's a guy who brings a lot of valuable experience to the group, and that will do nothing but enhance what has already been a very special season with this group.' Naylor should be a considerable offensive upgrade at first base over Donovan Solano, who is hitting .243 with a .626 OPS, three homers and 20 RBIs in 64 games, and Luke Raley, who is batting .220 with a .691 OPS, four homers and 18 RBIs in 49 games. Utility man Miles Mastrobuoni was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to clear a 26-man roster spot for Naylor. 'I've heard nothing but great things about this organization, about this team, about how hard they play,' Naylor said of the American League wild-card-contending Mariners, who entered Friday with a 55-48 record. 'They're a tough group. Obviously, the pitching speaks for itself, they're phenomenal on that end. The offense is great, too. 'Raleigh's having such an incredible year. It's super cool to watch from the outside. Julio (Rodriguez) is such a leader, a phenomenal player and athlete — he's a game changer. I'm really excited to be here and be a part of it and to see how I can contribute.' ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 2
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
New Seattle slugger Josh Naylor plugged into cleanup spot behind Raleigh for debut against Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Pressure is a privilege in the eyes of new Seattle Mariners slugger Josh Naylor. Naylor is looking forward to the opportunity to bat cleanup in his first game with Seattle against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. 'I love the word pressure,' said Naylor, a first baseman who was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for two pitching prospects on Thursday. 'I think it's a gift, a position God puts you in because he knows you can handle it.' The left-handed hitting Naylor likely won't win a Gold Glove at first base. But, he has always been able to handle the bat. The 28-year-old Naylor is a career .267 hitter with a .773 OPS in seven big-league seasons. He joins the Mariners after hitting .292 with an .807 OPS, 11 homers, 19 doubles, 59 RBIs, 49 strikeouts and 37 walks in 93 games with the D-Backs this season. Naylor, who played in 19 playoff games with the Cleveland Guardians, is also a career .294 hitter with an .846 OPS with runners in scoring position. He entered Friday with a .298 average (28 for 94) and .810 OPS in those situations this season. That track record earned Naylor a prime position in Seattle's lineup behind No. 3 hitter Cal Raleigh, who entered Friday as the MLB leader with 39 homers and tied for second 84 RBIs. Seattle's No. 5 hitter is Randy Arozarena, who entered Friday with 19 homers and 51 RBIs. 'I think he's a good fit (in the cleanup spot) because of the way he swings the bat,' Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. 'He's a guy who is going to have a great approach in those RBI situations. 'He's been through a lot. I've seen some (of his) postseasons, so he's a guy who brings a lot of valuable experience to the group, and that will do nothing but enhance what has already been a very special season with this group.' Naylor should be a considerable offensive upgrade at first base over Donovan Solano, who is hitting .243 with a .626 OPS, three homers and 20 RBIs in 64 games, and Luke Raley, who is batting .220 with a .691 OPS, four homers and 18 RBIs in 49 games. Utility man Miles Mastrobuoni was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to clear a 26-man roster spot for Naylor. 'I've heard nothing but great things about this organization, about this team, about how hard they play,' Naylor said of the American League wild-card-contending Mariners, who entered Friday with a 55-48 record. 'They're a tough group. Obviously, the pitching speaks for itself, they're phenomenal on that end. The offense is great, too. 'Raleigh's having such an incredible year. It's super cool to watch from the outside. Julio (Rodriguez) is such a leader, a phenomenal player and athlete — he's a game changer. I'm really excited to be here and be a part of it and to see how I can contribute.' ___ AP MLB:
NBC Sports
5 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Lottie Woad takes two-shot lead over Nelly Korda in pro debut at Women's Scottish Open
Watch highlights from Round 2 action of the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire, Scotland. IRVINE, Scotland — Lottie Woad played bogey-free Friday and took advantage of unusually calm conditions toward the end to post a 7-under 65, giving the English star a two-shot lead over top-ranked Nelly Korda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen in the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open. Woad is making her professional debut, which only means she gets paid at the end of the week. She looks no different from the last couple of weeks, when she won the Women's Irish Open and then tied for third in the LPGA major in France at the Amundi Evian Championship. Korda birdied her last two holes for a 66 to get to within two shots, hopeful she is trending in the right direction as she goes for her first win of the season. Koerstz Madsen also shot 66. Woad, who played her college golf at Florida State, was at 12-under 132 after spending two days before the largest crowd at Dundonald Links, playing in the same group as Korda and Charley Hull of England. Woad's finish at the Evian Championship earned her an LPGA card, prompting her to turn pro. The Women's Scottish Open felt no different from her other July events. It was all about trying to ride the momentum. She dismissed the notion that she has started her pro career by taking a 36-hole lead in a tournament co-sanctioned by the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour. 'I played in seven majors now so I've had all that experience, and obviously the LET events, too,' Woad said. 'So wasn't really new things I guess. Kind of knew how to deal with it.' She has missed only two greens each of the last two rounds on the links course just to the north of Royal Troon on the Ayrshire coast. It's a strong field with the final major of the year, the AIG Women's Open, next week at Royal Porthcawl in Wales. The biggest help was the wind, or lack of it. The breeze gave way to calm conditions, and Woad ran off four birdies on the back to seize control. Korda, winless after a seven-victory season in 2024, made her lone mistake with a bogey on the par-5 18th as she made the turn. She handled the calm conditions on the front nine to get in the final group. 'Apparently this is not really Scottish weather. It's pretty soft, so I've been hearing this is not the typical weather and course they usually play out here,' Korda said. 'But overall, when you get good rounds under your belt, that's always a step in the right direction. My main focus is this week. I'm trying to finish as best as I possibly can.' Sei Young Kim had a 67 and was three shots behind, followed by Hyo Joo Kim (66) who was four shots off the pace.
