Women's football round-up: Sunderland crowned champions of the inaugural WSL2 and a closer look at Christie Rampone
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Sunderland were crowned champions of the inaugural WSL2 division after thrashing Milwall Lionesses 4-0 on Sunday. The Black Cats were in fine form and secured the title with consummate ease thanks to goals from Kelly McDougal, Rachel Furness, Keira Ramshaw and Abbey Joice. Mick Mulhern’s side will play against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool next season after securing promotion, but their emphatic win on the final day denied Doncaster Belles a place back in the top flight, despite hammering London Bees 9-0.
i player of the week: Christie Rampone (USA Women)
Accumulating 100 caps for your country is always seen as an honour in international football, but Rampone has achieved that total three times over. Earning her 300th and 301st caps in the CONCACAF Cup, the 39-year-old captain showed she still has what it takes to compete at the top level, leading her side to comprehensive 3-0 and 6-0 wins over Mexico and Costa Rica respectively. She already has four World Cup appearances to her name, and having qualified for Canada next year, who is to stop her making her fifth?
Moment of the week
Managers can often be seen celebrating with euphoria down the touchline when their team wins a trophy, but as Sunderland Ladies secured the WSL2 title, manager Mick Mulhern was nowhere to be seen. Why? Mulhern, the longest-serving coach in women’s football, was forced to miss the match due to his commitments as a police officer, and instead had to settle for listening to the game on BBC Radio.
They said...
"The players have given their all and we've gone close to achieving the aim in this first season, but we'll redouble our efforts next year to make sure we get back to where I believe this club should be." Doncaster manager Gordon Staniforth remains positive Doncaster will be back in the top flight not before too long after narrowly missing out.
Is stat true?
4 – Sunderland have won a league title for a fourth consecutive season, having won the FA Women’s Premier League three times between 2010 and 2013.
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