14th August 2005 - ANU Phoenix (3) v Woden (0)

We won! YAY We played the Woden 'mother- daughter' team, on a tiny field at Mawson.

First half highlights include 2 great goals from goal-virgin Ann; some great shots on the Woden goal by a few of our players up front; an awesome moment in defence when keeper-Kirsti just got her hands to a cracker of a shot at our goal, which then hit the cross bar and spun up up up and was headed back down into the goal - but then Odette-oh-poised-one (though not so poised on Fri night at some Law 'do' but that's another story) calmly stepped in behind Kirsti (who was still wondering where the ball went) and headed the ball out of what would have been a goal..funny to watch and brilliant. Even the Wo Wo Woden team were smiling.

Second half and after a few nearly goals by our 'I'll-take-you-on' Striker Bron, she scored our third goal, yay Bron!

Viv did a great throw-in (and she thought she was physiologically unable to take them - hah!), Anne (yes the famous goal scorer) had a great stint in goal in the second half, Kirsti had an eventful run up front, Shez soldiered on with the flu... and hey we won. Very happy Jan. Yay team. We rock.

Lets celebrate with some tequila on Sat night!!!

Wez Blaauw

17th July 2005 - ANU Phoenix (0) v Cooma (1)

The first half we had the wind advantage and came out firing. We had the majority of possession of the ball and had a number of shots but none successful, including a long shot from half way by Kate which only just missed and a magnificent run up the field by Bronwyn which should have been a goal but was ended by foul play from one of the Cooma girls.

In the second half the game appeared to reverse Cooma took control of the possession, holding the ball primarily in their attacking half, although we had a few breakaway runs. Our defence did well to keep Cooma out, but the highlight was the amazing saves by our goalkeeper Kirsti who was put under much pressure and performed brilliantly. Unfortunately Cooma scored a goal late in the second half defeating ANU 1-0.

Under the exceptionally muddy and freezing conditions ANU Phoenix played well and should be proud of their performance considering we have not played together or trained for three weeks.

Mel Carters

19th June 2005 - ANU Phoenix (1) v ANU Ravens (2)

5th June 2005 - ANU Phoenix (1) v Woden Valley (0)

After a successful team bonding session on Friday night, Heidi and Jess tried to keep on bonding and incorporated a few dances moves into the game. I am not sure where they got the inspiration as I didn't see any renditions of the Tango at Shooters. Even though four left feet bought their dance off to untimely and untidy end, Heidi refused to give up, and continued to bust a few moves throughout the match.

When we lengthened our game, gave each other space and starting passing we had a few moments of brilliance. Sheree lead the way with some awesome through balls and play switches. Bron took up the chase and was unlucky not to convert. Rhi marked up like a champion and closed down the opposing striker who had nowhere to go except into a world of teenage angst.

Jas was the only goal scorer and she got one past the keeper, who may have forgotten to bend down and pick up the ball. All in all a good game and a good win.

Kirsti Sampson

29th May 2005 - ANU Phoenix (6) v Lanyon (0)

22nd May 2005 - ANU Phoenix (1) v Weston (0)

It was time for a win. Cheree was pumping herself and the team up. It was definitely our day. Our mighty defence hardly had a chance to show off their skills in the first half with shots on the Weston Creek goal coming left, right and centre. But they stood up to the occasional test, with Kate and Vanessa chasing down their attack efficiently. When Emma and Rhi finally showed up they made their presence known. Emma started with a spectacular head-first dive straight into the dirt while Rhi copped a yellow card for a phantom foul-mouther following her around. The shots kept coming from the forwards, wingers, midfield and yet no one managed to get past the goalie and her special padded goalie pants. Halftime and still no score but we were refreshed and more determined than ever. The second half saw a bit more action for the defence but thankfully they never held on to it for too long and pushed it back for more of our relentless attack. After an offside goal the frustration of being so long without a win finally got to Cheree who decided to take matters into her own hands (feet?) and score the single goal of the match. But still the attack never slowed. The final minutes of the game were tense as Weston had a shot on goal but Kirsti appeared in the nick of time to secure our first and well-deserved win of the season.

15th May 2005 - Belsouth (2) v ANU Phoenix (0)

Twas a glorious autumn day and the ANU Phoenix flew at full flight at Belsouth. The referee warned of close connections and a pre-disposition to Belsouth, which was grossly understated by the wrath of bias that ANU suffered in the first half of the match, where a clear penalty in the box was ignored. At half time the teams were even-stevens, and despite a rearing start of second half for ANU, corners eloquently positioned by Bron and Cassie, and other shots at goal narrowly missed connecting with the net. Spectacular sweeping action with an impressive backwards fly-kick from Jess, was not enough. The Phoenix defence was defeated by a ripper corner from Belsouth which narrowly escaped Kirsty’s grasp and a second goal which slipped in next to the post by Belsouth’s slide-kicking-queen. The Pheonix were unable to rise from the ashes on this occasion, but a good game was played by all.

Odette Upstill

8th May 2005 - ANU Phoenix (1) v UC (1)

It was a crisp and sunny afternoon at Mawson Playing Fields as >Phoenix assembled for their second game of the season. Groans >greeted the news that opponents UC were fit and fast, and Phoenix >readied themselves for a tough game. But it was ANU who were on top >in the first half. After about 10 minutes Phoenix went one up when >Bronwyn drilled the ball past the UC goalkeeper with a fantastic >strike. Chances came and went for both sides for the rest half, with >ANU regularly getting the ball into the opposition’s box but with no >finishes. At half time Phoenix welcomed their new assistant coach (as Cara had "mysteriously" disappeared) to the sidelines, whose vocal encouragements/instructions rang out across the field in the second half. UC came out firing, pressuring the ANU defence before eventually drawing level when they found the back of the net from an astonishing acute angle. Both teams seemed to give their all in what was a bruising and exhausting 1-1 encounter, a score-line that gave Phoenix a well-deserved first point of the season.

Heidi Hutchison

1st May 2005 - Cooma (2) v ANU Phoenix (0)

The first game of the season for the SL4 Phoenix turned out to be an interesting one with a trip to sunny Cooma! Unfortunately victory in this instance was just out of reach as was anticipated by many of those who have met the likes of the Cooma ladies before. As expected it was a tough and rough first match but none the less we were quite happy with the way this team made up of many new faces stood united.

The first goal from Cooma was indeed a great shot which managed to escape the efforts of our defence and hit the back of the net. Kirsty, however, did a marvellous job in goal making a number of brilliant saves. The second goal from Cooma was indeed questionable as this resulted from Cooma kicking the ball from where it lay inches from Kirsty’s head, nonetheless the umpire, who funnily enough is from Cooma, awarded it! However, in saying that he did hand out a red card to one of the Cooma players for swearing at Emma who executed a textbook slide tackle.

Our attack did a wonderful job and the second half saw the ball remain in our half for a vast majority of the time. Bronwyn our striker worked her butt off up front with a number of good runs and shots on goal as did many of our forwards and mids including Emma, Cheree, Heidi, Cassie and even our gutsy little Sally. Overall a pleasing game, but unfortunately a disappointing 2- nil loss. Rest assured the season can only get better with a start like this!

Rhiannon Whiting

Team