We’re two rounds into the National League Championship, and already have a few players making statements on the national stage. This week we profile a few players who have tightly laced up their goalscoring boots and have hit the ground running this season.

Tayla O’Brien

Eastern Suburbs are top of the table after two games, and sharp shooter Tayla O’Brien is top of the Golden Boot runnings with seven goals in two games.

As Suburbs get set to travel to Christchurch to take on the Canterbury United Pride, as the team with the most goals scored and fewest conceded this season, defenders Rebecca Lake and co will need to keep a close eye on O’Brien as they look to be the first team to deny her a goal in the National League Championship.

Michaela Foster

Concede a corner at your peril against Northern Rovers this season, as Michaela Foster loves to score from them. Foster, in her first year with Northern Rovers, completed her hat trick against Capital Football with an Olimpico. She’s become known for this trick over the years, once scoring two in a single game for WaiBOP. The Rovers top goals scorer in the NRFL will surely be looking to whip in another cheeky corner or two before the National League Championship is done.

Petra Buyck

Speaking of dead ball specials, if last weekend was anything to go by then you don’t want to be conceding any free kicks against the Canterbury United Pride if Petra Buck’s name is on the team sheet.

The Canterbury United Pride player, a guest from NRFL side Ellerslie, struck a gorgeous left footed goal of the week contender free kick for the Cantabrians against Western Springs on Saturday. While it wasn’t enough to secure points for the Pride on the day, it’s surely put the rest of the league on notice that a free kick given away outside the penalty area is just as dangerous as a penalty concession.

Sofia Garcia

The Western Springs co-captain has been leading from the front so far this season, with a hat trick in the opening game and the opener last weekend to ensure Springs have started the season with a perfect record.

Her emphatic left footed finish ensured the Seddon Park side went into half time a goal up against the Pride, and Auckland United will have their work cut out to keep the 24 year old at bay this weekend.

Article added: Friday 30 September 2022