Sydney University have closed in on becoming Premiers of the #NPLWNSW after Round 19 and an entertaining victory down the South Coast, while it was goals galore across the league with 27 goals scored across six games.
Sydney Olympic 4-1 NWS Spirit
Sydney Olympic took the spoils at Seymour Shaw on Sunday evening after over turning an early deficit to come away with a 4-1 victory.
Moving their home game from Peter Moore/Belmore Sports Ground to Seymour Shaw, Olympic didn’t seem fazed by this and almost stole an early lead with Teresa Polias’ attempted lob not beating Katie Offer.
It was then an error from Angelique Hristodoulou who allowed Morgan Roberts to run onto a through ball, the speedy winger bearing down on Jada Whyman before slotting the ball into the goal with 11 minutes gone on the clock.
Olympic reacted well after going down and minutes later Cortnee Vine thought she had equalised with a cheeky chip, only for a fine save by Offer.
The equaliser then came just before the half hour mark through Claudia Cholakian. Returning to the Olympic line up, Cholakian picked up the ball at the far post, cut onto her right and found the bottom corner, beating Offer who should have done better.
Five minutes later Cholakian had her second. High press from Olympic resulted in Vine pinching the ball before she squared it up for Cholakian who shot toward goal, the ball squirming under Offer before crossing the line.
Vine almost added another after rounding the Spirit keeper, only for her shot to hit the side netting.
Two became three before the break as Vine got the goal she deserved. A fantastic individual effort saw the pacey striker beat three defenders before poking the ball passed Offer, the best move of the game.
In the second half it was a very different game with neither team creating a real clear cut opportunity to add to the score line.
That was until Vine was brought down in the box. The striker dusted herself off to take the spot kick and despite Offer going the right way and getting a strong hand to the ball, there was too much power on the shot to make it 4-1.
In the final minute of the game, substitute Kiara De Domizio almost made it five but Offer made an excellent save.
Blacktown Spartans 1-6 APIA Leichhardt
It was special performance by APIA Leichhardt at Blacktown Football Park as they defeated the Blacktown Spartans 6-1.
On a special weekend for APIA, the girls put on a show for their supremo Matteo Maiorana and his partner who welcomed a baby girl as the newest APIA Leichhardt member.
It took less than 40 seconds for Shea Connors to put the visitors in front, a nice turn in the box and curling finish for the early lead.
APIA dominated from there and created a plethora of opportunities before making it 2-0 on 18 minutes. Once more at the hands of the league’s top scorer as Connors blasted home a left footed shot from the edge of the area.
The Spartans thought they were back into the game minutes later as they halved the deficit. Ash Crofts showed great speed and strength to beat her defender before burying her effort.
But the two-goal lead was restored 10 minutes later through Rhianna Pollicina. APIA’s creative number 10 took advantage of a ball bouncing on the edge of the area before letting loose with a volley into the back of the net.
As the half drew to a close, the home team improved but was unable to find a goal.
Minutes after the break and APIA added a fourth. Getting onto the end of a Pollicina pass, Connors secured her hat trick with another well taken goal, giving the keeper no chance and scoring her 14 of the season.
Sophie Hoban added a fifth on the hour mark with a precise shot into the bottom left corner of the Spartans goal from the edge of the area.
Pollicina secured her brace in the final minute of the game after showing great technique and composure to volley home from inside the area.
Illawarra Stingrays 2-4 Sydney University
Sydney University are on the verge of securing the Premiership after defeating the Illawarra Stingrays after a second half scare.
Within the first 20 minutes Uni was in complete control and on their way to a massive victory against the Stingrays.
Rola Badawiya got the show on the role after only six minutes, rounding the keeper before placing the ball home.
It got worse 10 minutes later as Uni added another through Sarah Morgan, capping off an excellent team move after Badawiya turned provider.
Four minutes later it became three. Ashley Irwin rising highest from a corner to head the ball home from the near post into the back post and securing a three goal lead going into the break.
The Stingrays needed to get the first goal of the second period and they did exactly that four minutes after the break. Alicia Meuronen stepped up to take the set piece just outside the area, curling the ball into the back of the net.
Less than 10 minutes later we had a game on our hands as some Stingrays pressure told. Hayley Taylor-Young took the ball on her left and let fly with a spectacular goal from distance to make it 3-2.
The Stingrays pushed hard for the equaliser throwing no caution and thought they were in with a real chance after Sarah Morgan was shown a red card for two yellow cards within five seconds of each other.
But their dreams were crushed as Uni scored a fourth after a goal mouth scramble following a spectacular free kick, Irwin scoring her second of the game.
Manly United 1-2 Macarthur Rams
A real six-pointer was on offer at Cromer Park as the Macarthur Rams took the victory, defeating Manly United 2-1.
It took only seven minutes for the visitors to have a front and it was in some style as Laura Murtagh showed fine technique to send her first time volley into the back of the net.
They added a second just before the break, the veteran Leena Khamis taking advantage of a ball over the defence to volley the ball beyond Nicole Simonsen.
Manly needed to respond but didn’t until the 82nd minute. Alexia Forner delivered a great cross into a dangerous area as Emily Minett rose highest to head the ball home and give United a lifeline.
The Rams comfortably held on though to added a massive win to their names as the finals approach.
Bankstown City 2-2 Northern Tigers
The points were split at Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon as Bankstown City and the Northern Tigers had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
A dominant Bankstown fell behind just before the break after a Bankstown error. The Tigers high press worked out for them as Lily McMahon dispossessed the Lions goal keeper before tapping the ball into an empty net.
After the break we were all square. Siobahn Edwards brought the Lions level with an excellent shot on the turn from the edge of the area.
Soon after, the home side were in front from the penalty spot. Former Tiger Daisy Arrowsmith stepped up to take the spot kick and put her shot into the top corner of the goal with a fantastic shot.
With the Lions looking set to claim all three points, the Tigers pounced. The Tigers top scorer Ash Brodigan took things into her own hands and let fly with a spectacular effort worthy of securing a point for the visitors.
Football NSW Institute 2-0 Emerging Jets
The Emerging Jets were looking for their first win of the season but it was not to be as the Football NSW Institute secured a 2-0 win.
It was a tight game all up until the last 15 minutes when the Institute took things into their own hands.
Avaani Prakash made an excellent run through midfield before slotting through a perfect ball for Daniella Naemi who did just enough to poke the ball into the back of the net.
The points were settled in some style in the final minute of the match. Who else but Sienna Saveska with another pile driver from distance to add to her collection of screamers for the 2022 season.
-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder