1. FC Union Berlin's women's side celebrated their first victory of the second half of the season, beating FSV Babelsberg 74 6-0 in the 15th match of the Regionalliga Nordost season. Dina Orschmann, Luise Wildner and Sophie Trojahn all scored, but the star of the day was Lina Krauss who scored a hat-trick

FSV Babelsberg 74: Bude - von Zadow, Cammradt, Miravalles Tsekos (89. Fockmann), Simon, Karaszewski, Schauss (59. Wolff), Schönke, Röder, Spurtaz (86. Knackstedt), Radloff

1. FC Union Berlin: Wagner - Wildner (62. Westphal), Frank, K. Orschmann, Bach (46. Bucher) - Trojahn, Heiseler (46. Gericke), D. Orschmann - Youssef (46. Reichenbach), Spolaczyk, Krauss

Goals: 1:0 D. Orschmann (1.), 2:0 Krauss (20.), 3:0 Krauss (22.), 4:0 Wildner (23.), 5:0 Krauss (34.), 6:0 Trojahn (83.)

Attendance: 120

Dina Orschmann scores after 27 seconds - Three goals within three minutes

Due to a number of injuries, Union head coach Ailien Poese had to make three changes to the starting line-up from last week's bitter 4-3 defeat against Viktoria Berlin. Nour Youssef, Lina Krauss and Elisa Spolaczyk came in for Marie Becker, Naika Reissner and Zita Rurack,.

Union started relentlessly, and opened the scoring after just 27 seconds. Following a throw-in, Dina Orschmann got the ball in the penalty area and volleyed into the far corner. It was the 25-year-old's first competitive goal in Union colours following her return in the winter.

They carried on from where they had started off, dominating the game, with shots raining down upon Saskia Bude's goal with regularity, but they were either lacking in a certain precision or the keeper picked them off.

Lina Krauss, however, finally doubled Union's lead with a header from close range following a corner in the 20th minute. Just two minutes later, she was successful again, this one, though, a work of art; the 20-year-old placing the ball beautifully into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Just 60 seconds later, the ball was in the net again. A brilliant long-range shot by Katja Orschmann from outside the box hit the underside of the crossbar. The ball bounced back into the field, where full-back Luise Wildner was on hand to finish easily.

Union had scored three in three minutes, and it was utterly decisive, babelsberg couldn't find their way back into the game after that.

Union had further chances as the half wore on. Elisa Spolaczyk rose for a bicycle kick, and captain, Lisa Heiseler, saw her  free kick come back off the cross bar with just over five minutes left to play. The last goal of the first half was scored by Krauss, also from a free kick. Her attempt from an acute angle surprised the keeper at the near post.

Trojahn scores only goal in 2nd half

Union settled back a little more during the second half, but they remained the dominant team and often pushed and pressured  the hosts deep into their own half. There was a certain ruthlessness lacking compared to the opening 45, however.

Their best chances came from Elisa Spolaczyk, whose direct shot from level with the penalty spot flew just over the crossbar, and Lina Krauss, whose fourth goal was denied by the busy keeper, Bude. Celine Frank also had a good chance following a set-piece with ten minutes to play but her shot went just wide.

In the 83rd minute, however, Sophie Trojahn made it six, following a ball inside the box, the 19-year-old scored her first goal for 1. FC Union Berlin, rifling home with glee. Katja Orschmann almost added a final flourish in the 86th minute, but her long-range shot fromoutside the box flew just wide of the top corner.

After 15 matches, Union are third in the table on 32 points, behind city rivals Viktoria Berlin (39) and Türkiyemspor (34).

The coach and the player's views after the game

"We dominated from the start and really didn't let anything go" said a delighted Union head coach, Ailien Poese after the final whistle. "It was important that we rewarded ourselves quickly with goals. In the 2nd half, it got a bit quieter because Babelsberg defended well. Of course, we are absolutely satisfied with the 6-0."

"We started the game well today with a lightning goal from kick off," said hat-trick hero Krauss. "We dominated the game at all times and didn't allow anything at the back. I am very happy that I could contribute to the victory with my goals."

The outlook

Union next play on Sunday, 5 March 2023, when they welcome 1. FFV Erfurt in front of their home crowd in Dörpfeldstraße. The Thuringians are currently in 8th place in the midfield of the table. Kick off is at 2pm.