It was a standout performance from Lize Kop as her penalty shootout heroics helped us gain two points in our opening game of the Subway Women’s League Cup group phase against Aston Villa.
While there was very little to write home about in the 90 minutes, with the game finishing goalless under the lights at Brisbane Road, our number one still produced a number of crucial saves to preserve her third clean sheet of the season after just four games.
And as the competition states that drawn ties must go to a penalty shootout for an extra point, that’s where the Netherlands international proved to be the difference on the night.
After the opening nine spot-kicks, having missed our first penalty in the contest, the score was at 4-4 and Miri Taylor just needed to convert but was superbly denied by Lize to take it to sudden death.
Then, after 13 spot-kicks overall, our shot stopper produced her heroics to deny Georgia Mullett and win us the shootout 7-6 in the end, earning us a further point in Group E of the competition.
“Obviously, as a goalkeeper in penalties, the pressure is on the players,” Lize told us, speaking to SPURSPLAY. “You just do your best and the outcome was really good, so I’m pleased.”
Despite being the hero in between the sticks, Lize actually stepped up to take our seventh spot-kick of the evening and calmly slotted away into the bottom corner – and that was followed by a quick celebration to savour that moment.
“Of course, It was a goal - I had to celebrate my first goal, so why not!,” she added. “Even though we didn’t win at that moment, mentally it helps to celebrate those little moments.”
Reflecting on the performance overall, Lize said: “There are a lot of things to improve, but we also created some chances. There were good moments, but we want to step up technically.
“Defensively, though, I think we were very good. The backline did a great job keeping the clean sheet, and that was a big positive.
“We’re in a process as a team with a new manager and new ideas. It takes time, but we’re growing and getting better. There are little things to improve, but we’re moving in the right direction.
“You’re never going to play the perfect match, but we want to be the best every day, and we’re working on that.”