Stirling students return to Women's Premier League with brilliant Play-off Final win

University of Stirling has returned to the ScottishPower Women's Premier League (SWPL) in dramatic fashion - scoring a stunning decider in the Play-off Final.

Kaitlyn Cook secured a 1-0 win for the students over Bishopbriggs-based Rossvale, with an incredible strike from the edge of the box midway through the second half.

The curling shot left the opponent's goalkeeper Abigail Paton helpless, hitting the net and sending Stirling back to the SWPL, Scotland's highest level of league competition.

The brilliant result comes just weeks after Nile Robbins' side lifted their first major trophy - the ScottishPower National League Cup - with a 4-2 victory over Renfrew Ladies.

Speaking after watching his team secure promotion, Robbins, Women’s Football Head Coach at the University of Stirling, said: "It was a hard-fought encounter with a great deal at stake and I'm very proud of the way that the team approached the challenge. We played well throughout the game, but it took a moment of magic from Kaitlyn to break the deadlock and put us ahead. And from there on, it was a case of making sure we got over the line - and the women did that brilliantly.

"We have enjoyed a successful season in the Championship and in the League Cup - and we are delighted to be heading back to the Premier League next season."

Goalscorer Kaitlyn Cook celebrates alongside Head Coach Nile Robbins.

David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence, said: "A massive congratulations to Nile and the team on fantastic wins in the Play-off and League Cup Finals. To lift our first major trophy just a few weeks' ago and then go on to secure a return to the Premier League is an excellent achievement of which the team should be incredibly proud.

"The team will now have a bit of time off over the summer before returning to an exciting challenge next season - and everyone at the University wishes them all the best."

Play-off success

Stirling - who were relegated from the SWPL2 last season - qualified for the SWPL2 Play-off after finishing second in the Championship this season. Rossvale were their opponents with a seventh-placed finish in the SWPL2.

Both sides had chances in the early exchanges at Airdrie's Albert Bartlett Stadium - with Stirling's Olivia McHarg having a shot blocked and another hitting the side netting, while Rossvale's captain Megan Whiteford was lively for the opponents. On 29 minutes, the students' Olivia Forsyth played a terrific ball in from the left and Tanaka Chitengu had a number of chances to score from close range, but was unable to find a way through to goal. Cook and McHarg had further chances as the rainy first half came to an end.

Rossvale started the second half brightly but were unable to capitalise - and were made to pay when Cook curled in a beautiful effort on 66 minutes, giving Stirling the lead. They had a chance to double their advantage just moments later when captain Lucy Jackman headed just wide from a corner.

Stirling goalkeeper Regan Ott made an excellent save with five minutes left on the clock, following a terrific strike from Rossvale substitute Leni Parrish, while McHarg dragged a shot wide for Stirling with just seconds left on the clock.

Stirling held out for the six minutes of added time to be crowned Play-off champions - sparking jubilant celebrations in front of the 352-strong crowd.

The Stirling team that lined up in the Play-off Final: Ott, Querns, Williams, Jackman (captain), Chitengu, Hollywood, Fairfield, Ferguson, Forsyth, McHarg, Cook. Substitutes: Burns, Watson, Taylor, Townsend, Kenyon, Shields.

Excellence

At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Core sports include football, golf, tennis, swimming, triathlon, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.