The Strikers finally broke through for their first win of the 2017 campaign, beating Preston Lions 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.

That result followed 14 rounds without a victory.

Lisie Dodds opened the scoring for Ballarat on 20 minutes before Sarah Dalgleish doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 59^th minute. It was then Alysha-Grace Reisacher who put the icing on the cake in the 75^th minute when she found the back of the net.

Dodds only returned to the side from a knee injury three weeks ago and has scored four times, including both of Ballarat’s goals in the previous round’s draw with Keilor Park.

Youngster Dalgleish has only played a handful of senior matches, but has now scored twice in 2017.

Ballarat has jumped off the bottom of the north-west division table following the win, moving two points clear of Lara United.

Strikers coach Laura Brady said while the bottom two sides are relegated from the competition each year, if University of Melbourne was able to remain inside the top two in state league two, it would mean only one team would face the drop at the end of the season.

Brady said Sunday’s success was set up by a strong defensive performance, led by the likes of Nat Barbara and Alannah Stevens.

“The victory really came from the defensive efforts even though we scored the three goals,” Brady told The Courier.

“We were able to launch a lot of attacks from defence effectively, so that was good.”

Sunday’s result was soured by a serious injury to Eliza Clayworth, who was taken to hospital after dislocating her shoulder during the second half of the match.

Three games remain in Ballarat’s season, all of which are difficult encounters.

Next weekend, the side hosts University of Melbourne (top) before another home game against Eltham Redbacks (third). Those matches will be played at Morshead Park.

The Strikers then close out the year with a trip to take on Melbourne Knights (fourth).