But on Saturday the 17-year-old Orange CYMS striker was the catalyst for a memorable, drought-breaking major semi-final victory over Bathurst St Pat's, scoring two goals in the green and golds' 3-1 triumph.

The two-goal win secures CYMS hosting rights for the 2019 grand finals - both the women's and the men's will be played on the Mavis Davis Field on August 31, the first time since 2002 Orange has hosted PLH's big day.

Mannix was overwhelmed at full-time, the young forward clearly her side's most dangerous attacking threat while the green and gold wall at the back was stoic all game.

CYMS' repelled six St Pat's short corners in the second period, including one with four minutes left on the clock, to maintain what was then a 2-1 lead.

The visitors pulled their goal-keeper at the death and a loose pass from one of the St Pat's defenders was swept on by Mannix, who calmly sprinted down field and potted the match-sealing goal, her second in the 3-1 victory.

"The whole point of the game was to have fun today, because we know we play our best when we're having fun," Mannix said.

"We just wanted it more. This is pretty exciting for us. We had to stick it out and I'm so happy we did."

St Pat's rocketed out of the gates and Ruby Clarke scored the game's first goal after just 42 seconds to give her side a 1-0 lead early in the piece.

But for the other 59 minutes of the match St Pat's lacked polish, and their normally slick execution around the circle was non-existent.

The visitors enjoyed eight of the last 10 short corner chances of the game but couldn't break CYMS' defence, with goalie Kimberly Keil terrifc at the back.

Mannix scored CYMS' first goal come the 11^th minute and then, just after half-time, found space again before a powerful strike was parried by St Pat's keeper Lilli-Rae Campbell.

Georgie Watson swept on the loose ball and put it away for CYMS' second goal and the hosts were never headed.

They were tested, though.

Green cards to Kennedy Chapman and Emmie Searle within minutes of each other meant Pete Shea's side was down two players at one point but St Pat's couldn't make the most of their advantage.

"I always had confidence in the girls that we'd bring it back," Mannix said, looking back at her side's early 1-0 deficit.

Shea, too, had confidence CYMS would rally after what he called "an early mistake". He said the green and golds won on effort, and leading that charge was Mannix.

"She's a cracking little kid. She's got all the skills you need to be a good player, and a good head on hewr shoulders," he said.

"Potentially she was the difference today, up front.

"And our defence, too, our work rate was there. We kept on turning up and kept putting them under pressure. Kayla (Russell) and Kimberly had great games."

CYMS will now meet the winner of next Saturday's preliminary final between St Pat's and Panthers, the latter victorious in their minor semi-final clash with Confederates at Lithgow.

A grand final day in Orange also flies in the face of what many PLH punters were tipping, with Souths coach Chris Stafford last week declaring St Pat's and Lithgow the two most likely grand finalists.

"The girls reacted to that a bit." Shea said.

"But it's one person's opinion and you treat it for what it is ... but he's wrong."