UNSW WIN PENALTY SHOOT OUT AND TAKE GOLD

The UNSW Wests Killer Whales (Yellow) 16&U Women have claimed a dramatic penalty shoot out victory over Mermaids (Pink) to take home the gold medal with a 9-8 win.

After 756 matches across two weeks, the last game of the inaugural Australian Youth Water Polo Championships went right down to the wire, with fans at Brisbane Aquatic Centre on the edge of their seat.

After claiming the New South Wales state championships in December 2018, UNSW have added the silverware to their cabinet with a national trophy. 

UNSW's Sophie O’Connell opened the scoring for the Killer whales with Mermaids quick to level the scores 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Mermaids kicked into gear to lead 3-2 at half time courtesy of a second quarter double to Lara Owen.

Trailing during the whole second half, UNSW’s Lana Oppenheim netted an equaliser in the final quarter with 48 seconds on the clock, sending the match into a penalty shoot out.

After pulling off her second save to win the match UNSW goalkeeper Taffy O’Neill sent her teammates into overdrive kick starting celebrations.

Speaking after the victory O’Neill described winning as the best feeling ever.

“It’s amazing, there are no words to describe how great everyone feels right now.

"We have been training for this since our last nationals, we worked on everything we could and trained months on end just to get it right," said O’Neill.

Talking about the pressure cooker in the penalty shoot out she just knew her team would get it done.

“I had a few heart attacks at the end, but I knew my team would pull through. When I got that save I was just blank and then I saw my team jump in and it was amazing.

“It’s awesome to win nationals after winning states,” she said.

UNSW Head Coach Annabelle Carter was proud of her team for sticking to the plan and getting the result in a tough game.

“They’re (Mermaids) a really fast team but we are too, so we tried to match them with our speed.

“They had a few dangerous players and I think we did a really good job shutting them down and to get the win,” she said.

Carter was overjoyed with the result and knows how much means to the team and the Club.

“It’s a massive thing for us all, it was so good to have so many people here to support us, some of the girls old coaches even came up to celebrate and join in with the week that was.

“We’re super stoked of the girls and proud to be representing UNSW Wests,” said Carter.

One of those previous coaches, Paul Cosgrove-Watkins, has been involved with UNSW Wests since 2001 and coached seven of today’s winning players since they were 11 years old.

“They’re just a great bunch of girls, I think this tournament helps players to learn teamwork, camaraderie, friendship, discipline and to have fun,” he said.

Speaking on his part in today’s successful results, he said there were key secrets to his coaching methods.

“I always kept it simple and made sure they had fun and put in lots of effort.

“The other secret is you give everybody a nickname,” he smiled.

UTS Balmain Tigers closed out the podium with their narrow 3-2 win over Sydney Uni Lions.

For full results – visit the Match Centre.

Want to watch the game? Catch the game in full on OVO Play.

The 16&U Women’s competition has wrapped up at the inaugural Australian Youth Water Polo Championships which has seen 3,000 competitors from over 170 teams converge on Brisbane across two weeks.

The new event will return to the Queensland capital again in early 2020, stay tuned to the Water Polo Australia website for more information to come.

2019 16&U WOMEN'S AUSTRALIAN YOUTH WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS STANDINGS:

Gold - UNSW Killer Whales Yellow
Silver - Mermaids Pink
Bronze - UTS Balmain Tigers
4 - Sydney Uni Blue
5 - SNB Breakers
6 - Melville Marlins
7 - St Rita's
8 - Mermaids Blue 
9 - AHS
10 - Cronulla Sharks 
11 - BGGS
12 - Triton
13 - Barras
14 - Ryde/UTS Balmain
15 - Drummoyne Devils
16 - Melbourne Metro
17 - Hunter Hurricanes
18 - Melville Mermaids
19 - UNSW Black
20 - Sunshine Coast
21 - Sydney Uni Gold
22 - Central Coast
23 - Tamworth
24 - Polo Bears
25 - Ovens & Murray
26 - North Coast Phoenix
27 - Brigidine
28 - Mermaids White
29 - CGS Nordec
30 - Cairns