Sydney FC goalscoring hero Mackenzie Hawkesby says her winning semi-final goal against Central Coast Mariners on Saturday afternoon is the most important of her career.
The 24-year old midfielder notched the opener in the second leg, having scored the only goal of the first leg, to give the Sky Blues a 1-0 lead going into the game.
“When I scored I literally couldn’t hear,” she said of the 7,063 crowd.
“I think that was definitely the most important goal of my Sydney FC career; it was so amazing to score in front of a home crowd and in a semi final to get us to another Grand Final.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to stay more calm in front of goal. I’ve had a lot of chances in the last few seasons and I’ve tried to be calm and composed, especially in front of Casey [Dumont – Mariners keeper] as she’s a very good keeper.
“I knew I had to keep it low and just hit it.
“It was an excellent performance, everyone played for each other, it’s just a true Sydney FC performance.
“Everyone showed what they were capable of on the ball and off the ball and how much we wanted it today to qualify for our 7th Grand Final which is a massive achievement.”
Hawkesby limped off the field in the final few minutes to be substituted by Lucy Johnson but she says she will definitely be fit for the Grand Final.
“I’m fine, it was just studs to the ankle, but I’m absolutely fine. I’ll just ice it tonight and should be able to go tomorrow and be raring for training on Monday.”
And the midfielder is confident going into the Final.
“This week and last week has been the two best performances of Sydney FC this year, and we seem to build on that.
“When we stick together as collective we are so good. A Grand Final is huge but you need to rise to the occasion.”
Sydney FC will face either Melbourne City or Newcastle Jets dependent on the result of their second semi final leg with City leading 3-0 from the first.
