The game was always going to be a tough one for both teams, with the inside knowledge each side carries about the opposition players making the schools evenly matched.

Marion Catholic coach Renae Savage said she was proud of her side, who battled hard to keep the lead once they got their noses in front just before half time.

“It was a pretty even game the whole time, but it was a tough game as well,” Savage said. The Marion coach said her side had to earn win, as Griffith High threw everything they had at the Marion defensive wall in the second stanza.

Marion got on the board through the one-two combination of Izabella DePaoli and Emily Keenan with the latter finishing off a well worked move.

In the second half it was the defensive units time to shine, with Melinda Foschi, Kayla Pompeani, Ginnie Sibbick and goalkeeper Josephine Trimb-oli playing solidly.