Two powerhouse regional teams will go head-to-head on Saturday evening in a blockbuster Quarter Final of the Kappa Women’s Super Cup.
Brothers Townsville, the best women’s side in North Queensland, will host Central FC, the best side in Central Queensland, for a spot in the Semi Final.
Tomorrow’s clash will also bring the most lethal female striker in regional Queensland up against one of the state’s brightest young regional goalkeepers.
Kallie Peurifoy, Central’s 25-year-old American striker, has scored an incredible 47 goals in ten games in the CQ Premier League this season, as well as nine goals in the Cup.
Layne Chapman, Brothers Townsville’s 15-year-old goalkeeper, is yet to concede in the Cup and is on the radar for state and national selectors.
Both players freely admit that they don’t know much about each other but are looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“I had a look at one of Brothers’ Kappa Cup games that was live-streamed, but that’s pretty much it,” said Kallie Peurifoy, who played for Virginia Tech in the US College Atlantic Coast Conference before moving to Australia.
“In Central Queensland, you play the same opponents, so it’s great to be able to play different teams and get an introduction to the different levels that are out there.”
Central have beaten sides from Gladstone, Yeppoon, Rockhampton and Mackay to qualify, with Peurifoy scoring half of the team’s 18 goals.
In the Round 5 match against Mackay Lions, Peurifoy scored two and created another to guide Central to a 3-2 victory.
“I think the Mackay game was a big stepping stone for us as a team,” said Peurifoy.
“They were the best team we’ve faced in the year-and-a-half that I’ve been here, so it was exciting to see the girls’ reaction and how much confidence they had after the game.”
However Central may face an even tougher test in Townsville against a Brothers side that has won three consecutive premierships as well as back-to-back championships.
Brothers have talent right across the park and while their young goalkeeper may still be in high school, she has been a revelation since making her senior debut last season.
Over the past 18 months, Layne Chapman has been awarded female goalkeeper of the year in the NQ Premier League and female player of the year by her club.
She has also been identified for the QAS via Football Queensland’s Talent Support Program, and been selected for the Queensland School Sport U13-15 squad and the Junior Matildas extended squad.
“This year and last year have been huge for me,” said Chapman.
“I really enjoy playing at this level. All my coaches and teammates have pushed me to perform to the best of my abilities.”
Chapman’s rise is all the more incredible considering she was diagnosed with Osgood Schlatters Syndrome in 2015 which caused inflammation below her knees and forced her to reinvent herself as a goalkeeper.
“I couldn’t run without pain, but I really didn’t want to stop playing football, so I stepped into the goal and now here I am,” she said.
“In the future, my goal is to play for the Matildas and in the W-League.”
For now, though, Chapman’s focus will be on stopping Peurifoy and a Central FC side brimming with confidence.
“I love playing in the local competition, but it has also been fun to play against new teams from different places in the Kappa Women’s Super Cup,” said Chapman.
“I don’t know what to expect from these teams, so it adds to the level of excitement in the games.”
Match Details
Brothers Townsville v Central FC
Saturday 17 July, 5:30pm
Hi Vista Park, Townsville
All Kappa Women’s Super Cup Quarter Final games will be streamed LIVE on NPL.TV.
