Panther striker Samantha de Smet has been in brilliant form this year. Photo: Andrew Johnston
ACT Women’s State League, round 7
Who: Monaro Panthers v Tuggeranong
Where: Kaleen Oval
When: Sunday, 2pm
SAMANTHA de Smet has never lacked the speed or skill to be one of the Canberra competition’s top strikers. Mentally however, De Smet admits there have been times when she’s struggled to put opportunities away.
The Monaro Panthers’ attacking lynchpin, de Smet’s brilliant run of form this season has seen the club surge to the top of the ACT Women’s State League ladder.
In the club’s second year of State League competition, the Panthers are currently unbeaten after six rounds.
Monaro’s success has been in no small part due to de Smet.
The 18-year-old is the competition’s second leading goal scorer having found the back of the net nine times in just five games.
The sharpshooter’s tally includes a four-goal haul against O’Connor in round five and a hat trick against Brindabella in round two.
It’s a far cry from last season when de Smet was often her own worst enemy in front of goal.
“I was missing a lot of easy goals last year,” de Smet said. “When it was just me and the goalie it was hard for me to finish it off because I’d start thinking about it too much.
“It’s always been easier for me when I’m just reacting to something rather than when I have to think about it.
“Toward the end of last season we started looking at the top goal scorers and I had scored a few and I let it get to my head. I don’t think I scored in the last four games after that.”
For the full story see this Friday's edition of The Queanbeyan Age.