Late Koulizakis screamer earns Olympic point
Sydney Olympic needed a late goal to snatch a point from their Round 12 match against the Gladesville Ravens in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW match of the round at Peter Moore Field.
The Ravens took a first half lead courtesy of a penalty from Lexie Moreno, only for Demi Koulizakis to score a spectacular goal moments before full time.
It was the visitors that started on the front foot, immediately putting the Olympic defence under pressure with their high press.
Gladesville won a few resulting corners before Bella Habuda showed speed and composure to deliver a good ball in the box, the rebound falling to Breanna Buccini who saw her effort blocked and sent over the bar.
Habuda was creating problems down the right and once more delivered a dangerous ball into the area, Claudia Cholakian looking to get onto the end of it, only to be fouled by Tiana Jaber.
Lexie Moreno stepped up to take the penalty and powered the ball home, Sarah Langman only getting a touch as it blasted into the back of the net just after the 15th minute.
Olympic really struggled to create much moving forward as the Ravens looked to create problems in quick transition.
Moreno had a go from distance five minutes from half time but didn’t manage to get the connection on the ball she would have liked to get her shot on target.
It took the home team until the final kick of the first half to record their first shot of the game, an effort off target by Koulizakis.
The home team came out for the second half with a bit more intent and started putting their opposition under pressure themselves.
Olympic should have equalised five minutes after the break, an excellent cross by Koulizakis to the back post, only for Brianna Oliverio unable to force the ball home.
Bella Habuda showed her skill 10 minutes into the second half, receiving a high ball on the edge of the area, bringing it down and then volleying on the turn, not testing Langman with the effort though.
The Ravens threatened again, Habuda delivering a cross into the feet of Cholakian whose shot was blocked, the rebound falling to Keiko Tanaka but she could not beat Langman with her effort.
Moreno went close next, sending a fine effort toward goal from a difficult angle, forcing Langman into an excellent save.
As the game looked set to finish the way of the Ravens, up stepped the leagues top scorer Koulizakis in the 89th minute.
About 25 metres from goal, on the turn Koulizakis spotted Romina Parraguirre of her line, let fly with a curling effort which the Ravens keeper couldn’t keep out finding the top corner and the equaliser for Olympic.
The home team almost pinched all three points in stoppage time, Gabrielle Peak’s effort blocked by Kim Davey to secure the point.
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 1 (Koulizakis)
Gladesville Ravens 1 (Moreno 17’)
Peter Moore Field,
Campsie
Sunday, 19 May, 2024
Sydney Olympic: 40. Langman, 2. G. Peak, 3. McCue-Shore (19. Keir), 4. Yamahata, 8. Oliverio, 9. Koulizakis, 11. Borromeo (33. Stanton), 12. Jaber, 13. Baudana, 17. M. Peak (6. Bowling), 25. Sciuriaga.
Subs Not Used: 5. Rutstein, 31. Koyama.
Gladesville Ravens: 22. Parraguirre, 3. Daczko, 5. Tanaka, 6. Davey, 8. Halls, 9. Moreno (7. Pountney), 17. Cholakian (18. Brewis), 23. Allen, 26. Buccini (13. De la Harpe), 33. Charalambous, 51. Habuda (10. Wootton).
Subs Not Used: 1. Coleman, 4. Lidbetter.
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By – Nikola Pozder
