Round 1 Review – NPL Women’s NSW
It’s official — the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW season has lifted off in spectacular fashion. After months of anticipation, the new campaign roared into life with a weekend packed full of goals, drama, breakout performances and statement wins as clubs laid down their early markers in what promises to be a fiercely competitive season.
From dominant attacking displays to gritty defensive battles and clutch match-winning moments, Round 1 delivered a thrilling opening chapter to the 2026 season. Read on for our full wrap-up of all the action.
Match of the Round – Hills United 1 v Bulls FC Academy 1 at Valentine Sports Park
Hills United managed to secure a point in their debut in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition, drawing 1-1 with last year’s Champion’s Bulls FC Academy at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday evening.
The Champions hit the front mid-way through the first half through Claudia Valletta but were pegged back late, Ellen Berios finding the back of the net for Hills.
Check out the full report here
Northern Tigers 1-0 Gladesville Ravens at North Turramurra Recreation Area
The new season kicked off with the Northern Tigers hosting the Gladesville Ravens at North Turramurra Recreation Area, with both sides determined to start strongly after missing out on finals football last year. Clear chances were limited in a tense first half as both defences stood firm, though the Ravens arguably created the better opportunities through sharp counter-attacking play. Veteran striker Leena Khamis was a constant threat and had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 54th minute when Morgan Roberts surged into the box and cut the ball back to the near post, only for Khamis’ side-footed effort to deflect just wide. The decisive moment arrived soon after when Rosie Ewin won a penalty following a handball in the Ravens’ area. Charlotte Mortlock stepped up and calmly converted in the 59th minute, sealing a hard-earned 1-0 victory for the Tigers.
NWS Spirit 1-6 Sydney Olympic at Christie Park
Christie Park played host to one of the most explosive performances of the round as Sydney Olympic produced a clinical attacking display to defeat NWS Spirit 6-1. Spirit struck first in the 20th minute when Alicia Leggatt surged from her own half before releasing Mikaela Gavranic, who skipped past her defender and finished well past Chloe Carmichael for 1-0. Olympic responded strongly and levelled in the 33rd minute through Ruby Nathan’s header from a corner. From there the visitors found their rhythm, taking the lead just before halftime when Bella Voisey-Youldon slipped Morgan Witz through on goal for a tidy finish in the 44th minute. Olympic’s relentless press continued after the break and Witz struck again in the 54th minute before completing a remarkable hat-trick in the 66th minute. The forward wasn’t done yet, adding a fourth goal in the 81st minute after reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box. Olympic then capped a dominant display in the 83rd minute when Lola Sossai squared the ball for Nathan to finish calmly, sealing an emphatic 6-1 victory.
Macarthur Rams 1-1 Manly United at Lynwood Park
Sunday’s action began at Lynwood Park where Macarthur Rams and Manly United battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Both teams started cautiously in an evenly contested encounter with defences holding firm. The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute when Abbie Puckett delivered a sensational cross that was met by the perfectly timed run of Matilda Dias Wadewitz, who managed to get the slightest touch to guide the ball home and give the Rams a 1-0 lead. Manly found their equaliser in the 53rd minute following a moment of misfortune for Rams goalkeeper Issabella Coelho. A free-kick from the right was spilled by the keeper, allowing Phoebe Gilbane to react quickly and slot the ball home. Both sides pushed for a winner late on, but neither could break the deadlock as the points were shared.
APIA Leichhardt 2-1 Sydney University at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt made a strong statement at Lambert Park with a 2-1 victory over Sydney University in a clash that carried added intrigue following Talia Kapetanelis’ off-season move from Uni to APIA. In a twist that seemed written in the script, Kapetanelis opened the scoring for the hosts in the 51st minute after capitalising on a loose ball from Tahliya Sambrook before racing through and finishing confidently. APIA doubled their lead in the 67th minute when Ashlie Letta converted from the penalty spot after a handball in the box. Sydney University pulled a goal back in the 79th minute when Mia Golding’s attempted clearance from a corner ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar and into her own net, but APIA held firm to secure all three points.
Western City Rangers 0-1 UNSW at Popondetta Park
Western City Rangers hosted a highly fancied UNSW outfit at Popondetta Park, with both sides entering the new season with significantly refreshed squads. UNSW made a fast start and nearly opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Jennifer Kokoris forced a save from Rangers captain Renee Krstanovska before Lexie Moreno saw a follow-up effort blocked. The breakthrough arrived just a minute later when a defensive giveaway allowed Alexia Karrys-Stahl to pounce on the loose ball and curl a superb strike beyond Krstanovska to make it 1-0 in the 11th minute. The visitors then controlled proceedings with a disciplined defensive performance, holding off the Rangers’ attempts to find an equaliser and securing a valuable away victory.
Illawarra Stingrays 0-1 Western Sydney Wanderers at Myimbarr Community Park
Illawarra Stingrays welcomed the Western Sydney Wanderers to Myimbarr Community Park in a tightly contested encounter between two ambitious sides. The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute following a swift Wanderers counter-attack. Allyssa Ng Saad flicked the ball on for Frida Karaberis, who then threaded a perfectly weighted pass in behind for Ng Saad to chase. The attacker outpaced the Stingrays defence before finishing low at the near post to give the Wanderers a 1-0 lead. The visitors continued to threaten throughout the second half, forcing Stingrays goalkeeper Kiara Rochaix into several important saves, but Ng Saad’s early strike ultimately proved enough as the Wanderers secured an impressive opening-round victory.
Words by Matthew Badrov
