Goalkeeper Casey Dumont helped Melbourne Victory secure a dramatic A-League semifinal win against Melbourne City on Saturday.
With the two teams tied 3-3 at the conclusion of extra time, Dumont scored the opening goal of the shootout, beating City goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri. Dumont, who also works as a nurse, then took her spot in goal and saved a penalty from City’s Katie Bowen (video embedded below).
Casey Dumont steps up to the spot and slots it home...then saves Bowen's strike!
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) April 15, 2023
MVC: 🟢⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️
MCY: 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️#MCYvMVC is live on Paramount+ 📷 #MelbDerby pic.twitter.com/UwQ29EoPuM
“I knew where I was going and picked the spot out and went, and then it was the same with having a stop on the penalty as well. I just pick a side and go,” Dumont told Paramount+.
“The girls asked [if would take the first shot] and I was like, ‘Yeah, no worries, I’ll do it.'”
Melbourne Victory won the shootout, 4-1, with Dumont making two saves in addition to her improbable goal. Victory will play in next weekend’s preliminary final against the loser of Sunday’s qualifying final between No. 1 Sydney FC and No. 2 Western United.
Melissa Ayres scored all three regulation goals for Victory, which led 3-1 with 12 minutes remaining to play. But Melbourne City staged a dramatic comeback; after Rhianna Pollicina made it 3-2 in the 79th minute, Hannah Wilkinson scored the equalizer in the 97th minute to send the match to extra time (video embedded below).
ABSOLUTE MADNESS IN THE MELBOURNE DERBY! 🤯
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) April 15, 2023
Hannah Wilkinson strikes in the 97th minute and @MelbourneCity have forced extra time in the Elimination Final!#MCYvMVC is live on Paramount+ 📷 #MelbDerby pic.twitter.com/l4QPab78aY
Melbourne Victory is eyeing a third straight women’s A-League title. But after an up-and-down season, the team almost didn’t qualify for the postseason, squeaking into the top four based on goal difference.