Stingrays end winless run with dominant Ravens victory
The Illawarra Stingrays snapped a nine-match winless run on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Gladesville Ravens 3-0 at The Pond in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW Match of the Round.
It was more than two months since the Stingrays last won, with Sophia Christopherson scoring a brace and Bronte Trew getting the other as Ewan Boff’s tenure as head coach got off to the best possible start.
Another disappointing result for the Ravens after three games without defeat, as it all came crashing down on the south coast.
The first chance of the game went the way of the visitors, with Keisha Allen reacting quickest in the area, having her shot tipped over the bar by Kiara Rochaix with 15 minutes on the clock.
It was the home team’s turn next to have an attempt. First Bronte Trew had her shot saved by Brianna Edwards before the rebound was well kept out after a Logan Garard effort.
Rochaix was called into action again, saving well to the right after an attempt from just outside the area by Hannah McNulty.
The Ravens’ pressure continued, with Gisella Pipino seeing her effort come off the crossbar after a layoff by Miku Sunaga.
Trew was back in action next for the Stingrays, with Edwards forced into a fingertip save after a cheeky shot.
Both keepers were being kept busy, with Garard once more forcing Edwards into a save, this time the Ravens keeper somehow keeping out an effort destined for the top corner.
Minutes from half-time, the Stingrays hit the front.
The home team forced a turnover after some high press, Edwards was drawn out before Christopherson served the ball on a platter for Trew to tap home into an empty net.
In the second half, the Stingrays almost doubled their lead minutes after the restart, again Edwards saving well, this time denying Trew a fine goal.
Trew and Christopherson linked up again, once more finding the back of the net as the home side doubled their advantage.
Trew cut back as Christopherson’s shot was blocked, the ball fell to Trew again who repeated her earlier move, this time Christopherson getting the ball beyond Edwards.
It was almost three with 10 to go, Chloe Middleton beating Edwards with a fine curling effort, only for the ball to smack against the crossbar.
With minutes to go, the Ravens thought they’d given themselves a lifeline, only for the referee’s whistle to come to the Stingrays’ rescue.
Middleton almost curled another into the top corner, going millimetres over the bar.
Not long later though, the points were settled. Again, Sophia Christopherson breaking through and, with ease, placing the ball beyond Edwards.
Match Stats
Illawarra Stingrays: 3 (Trew 44’, Christopherson 66’, 90’)
Gladesville Ravens: 0
Sunday, 28 June 2026
The Pond
Illawarra Stingrays: 1. Rochaix, 2. Trew (22. Masters), 6. Limon, 7. Middleton, 8. Gilles, 17. Thompson (30. Baggio), 19. Grove, 58. Garard (13. Austin), 59. Taylor-Young, 77. McKenzie, 78. Christopherson.
Substitutes not used: 16. Nisbet, 21. Russell, 26. Cachia, 36. Rowley.
Yellow Cards: Garard, Middleton
Red Cards: Nil
Gladesville Ravens: 38. Edwards, 3. Daczko, 4. Allen, 6. Pipino, 8. Halls, 10. McNulty (12. Scamardella), 11. Roberts, 14. Kilbride, 16. Allan, 19. Khamis (17. Shannon), 39. Sunaga (36. Murtagh).
Substitutes not used: 1. Coleman, 9. Brewis, 21. Sproule, 33. Riley.
Yellow Cards: Allan
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
