St Pats are the 2019 AWFA senior women's league champions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Patties recovered from a horror start to the season to clinch the title by one point with a 1-1 draw against Wangaratta in the final round at Alexandra Park on Sunday.
St Pats were on the back foot for the majority of the contest, but the centre back pairing of Kate Fruend and Kirby Piper-Bye was outstanding - denying the Devils' strikers a clear look at goal.
Isabella Barbaro put Patties in front against the run of play midway through the first half, when she slipped in behind the Wangaratta defence.
Her shot was deflected by Devils' goalkeeper Jacinta Findlay, but trickled into the back of the net for the only goal of the half.
Wangaratta continued to dominate possession after the break, but had very few clear-cut chances until a handball in the box against St Pats five minutes from full-time allowed Bianca Mulqueen to convert from the penalty spot.
St Pats keeper Natasha Anderson produced an important save just moments later, with Leanne Branson bearing down on her close to goal as they saw out the remaining minutes to clinch the title.
ALSO IN SPORT:
"It was a bit strange coming in today because we knew it would take a pretty big disaster to lose it, but we still didn't want to be winning the league in a game we lost," St Pats co-coach Brett Easton said.
"It's exciting, and given the fact, even a couple of months ago, it looked like (Albury) United had it wrapped up. It wasn't what we were focusing on, but here we are."
While a lot has been made about the combination of Claire Mahoney and Barbaro in the middle of the park, Easton believes it was the defence that was telling.
"Katie (Fruend) is an unsung hero, countless times they've had a player through one-on-one and Katie has come out of nowhere to recover and block it off," he said.
"I personally think championships are won on defence and that seems to have been the case for us."
Anderson, who has been at the club since under-10s, was thrilled to experience her first senior league title.
"There was nerve-wracking moments, I'm so glad I have the back line I have," Anderson said.
"It hasn't hit yet, I'm really excited but it still feels like a draw. We've come so far."
Albury United finished outright second after a 3-1 win against Melrose, while Boomers ended the league season on a high with a 3-1 win over Albury City.
The senior women's ladder after round 22 is: St Pats 48, Albury United 47, Wangaratta 44, Albury City 30, Melrose 23, Boomers 19.
St Pats and Albury United have next week off, before lining up in the semi-finals.