Casey Dumont has returned to haunt Melbourne Victory, making two saves and scoring in a penalty shootout against her former club to deliver Central Coast a 0-0 (4-2) A-League Women elimination final win.
Dumont departed Victory in acrimonious circumstances amid her move to play AFLW with Hawthorn and linked up with the Mariners for their return to the league.
But Dumont's heroics - her fifth ALW penalty shootout win - tees up a semi-final match-up with Sydney FC, to be played over two legs from next week, while ending Victory's season.
"I knew we had it from the minute we went to penalties," Dumont said.
"I don't want to express what I really want to feel but yeah, it's good to play against your old club.Â
"Victory's known to dig deep and pull through on finals but it's good to show that they are still beatable - our team stepped up when it counted the most."
Dumont had wanted to take the first penalty to set the tone.
"It shows you what confidence she has in herself. It's fantastic," coach Emily Husband said.Â
"You need players to back themselves in these big moments. And Casey did and we're super proud of her.
"I love playing players against their old club, to be honest. It gives them that little bit of extra drive behind themselves.
"She shone today."
Victory coach Jeff Hopkins wouldn't be drawn on the suggestion Dumont had a point to prove.
"She thinks she's got a point to prove. But she actually has got no point to prove," he said.
"Casey believes her truth, not the truth. So, I'll leave it at that.Â
"I've got nothing but admiration for Central Coast. They've been great for the league. A really good side. Very well coached. Really together as a team as well.Â
"So I wish them all the best. I think they were very, very good through the game. It was a very competitive game."
Victory were without Emily Gielnik after the striker suffered a calf injury in Matildas camp.
Central Coast had several chances to win it in regular time, including in the 50th minute when Wurigumula, from point-blank range, blasted over the bar.
Victory should have taken the lead four minutes into extra time when Rachel Lowe met Lia Privitelli's deflected cross with a diving header but turned it wide from point-blank range.
Lowe seemed certain to score the winner in the 109th minute but her slow-moving shot was cleared off the line by Isabel Gomez.
Courtney Newbon made a double-save to deny Wurigumula in the 110th minute then Okino was stopped at the other end.
For the shoot-out, Lowe buried the first penalty in commanding style, before Dumont stepped up and scored.
Chidiac smashed home Victory’s second, then Faye Bryson coolly scored hers.
Dumont saved Alana Murphy’s third penalty and Wurigumula scored the fourth to put the Mariners on top.
The goalkeeper then denied Paige Zois before Bianca Galic stepped up to bury the winner.
