BALLARAT Eureka Strikers will be out to prove a point when they face off against rivals University of Melbourne in a women’s state league one showdown on Sunday.
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There’s plenty of recent history between Ballarat and the university girls.
Last season, the two sides fought it out for the title, with the Strikers defeating University of Melbourne 3-1 in the final game of the season to finish top of the table.
But University of Melbourne beat Ballarat in the grand final and again in this year’s Team App Cup round two encounter.
Coming off a bye, the Strikers will be looking to make amends for two tough losses against former women’s premier league sides South Melbourne and South Yarra.
Interim Ballarat coach Laura Brady believes playing at home at Morshead Park will be a massive advantage to her side.
“The larger ground suits our game style and should allow us to expose Melbourne University’s lack of pace in defence,” Brady said.
To capitalise on this belief, the Strikers have made a tactical change and brought Lisie Dodds into the senior squad.
Dodds has had a solid start to the season in the development squad and has been increasingly deployed as a striker.
Sunday’s game kicks off from 3pm.