Kooringal High claimed the Shipard Shield from reigning four-time premier Mater Dei Catholic College in the grand final of the school girl’s tournament on Wednesday night.

Dangerous striker Rachel Trenaman scored the only goal Kooringal needed in the second half of a hard-fought game at Rawlings Park.

After three years of coaching Kooringal, it was an emotional win for Dave Antill.

“The girls showed a lot of character, they wanted to play for each other,” he said.

“They play a lot of club soccer together on the weekend and that’s held them in good stead.”

Kooringal’s grit upfront put Mater Dei’s defence on the back foot.

“We have a lot of speed on our side, “ he said.

“We have some speedy wingers in Rachel and Jenn (Woodbury), and that probably helped us a lot.”

Woodbury was awarded best on ground. Kooringal’s Ellen McIntyre and Sophie Crouch also made some bold moves in attack.

Mater Dei defensive midfielder Ingrid Weir made a couple of gutsy tackles that prevented the score from blowing out, and centre-mid Olivia Webster directed the ball away from traffic.

In counter-attack, Mater Dei’s Brooke Gaylor and Grace Di Trapani carved past several players and crossed the ball in, creating opportunities in front of goals.

But Kooringal keeper Ashley Watt read the play and stood in prime position to save or prevent shots on goal.