By Kieran Yap 19/3/25
Above: Danella Butrus (left) after her opening goal for Bulleen
Bulleen Lions hosted Box Hill United for Round One of the Victorian NPLW, and the defending premiers look like they are set for another promising and exciting season after a 2-1 win.
Bulleen under coach Caitlin Friend are hunting for a third successive premiership, and will be eager to go further into finals this season, but as with the previous two campaigns, and is common in this league, there have been many changes to the lineup for 2025.
Former Everton and Lamar University midfielder Hollie Massey is one of the new arrivals, and took control of the midfield early on in this game. Her passing and pressing helped set the tone, and surges forward off the ball kept Box Hill’s defence on their toes.
Mila Bulic was aggressive at left back, while returning right back Caitlin O’Bryan was dominant on her flank. It was her defence splitting pass that set up Denella Butrus to score her first of the home and away season with a composed finish in the 23rd minute.
Bulleen were up 2-0 before time thanks to another new arrival. Anais Josefski sized up her opponent on the flank before darting in one direction then the other. She looked to have dribbled her way into trouble but cut outside the defence and scored from an impossible angle at the edge of the box, sending gasps through the home crowd.
That goal would prove to be the decisive one, but Box Hill fought there way back into the contest after half time. Emma Perrone took advantage of a mishit clearance from goalkeeper Emily Shields and buried her chance from long range.
Bulleen continued to push for a third, with Butrus menacing and lighting quick on the wing, but the third goal would not arrive. The Lions looked in control for the majority of the match though, and the new signings settled in quickly. This win, along with the Community Shield hit out against Heidelberg United last week suggest another promising season at The Vento Club.
In other games this round, South Melbourne and Bentley Greens played out a 1-1 draw. Both sides recruited impressively in the off-season, with Rebecca Saber joining Bentley to boost their attack and Tiffany Eliadis headlining a host of new faces at Lakeside Stadium.
Delaney Kenney opened the scoring for The Greens after running onto a long bomb of a free kick to finish unmarked in the area. Olivia Bomford scored on debut for South Melbourne with a fantastic, powerful finish in the shadows of half time.
A goal to NPL legend Aleks Sinclair put newly promoted Spring Hill ahead against one of last season’s Grand Finalists Preston Lions, but that was answered by a 72nd minute header by Valentine Pursey to send both teams home with a point a piece.
The Essendon Royals defeated Brunswick Juventus by a single goal scored from a free kick by Airi Fujiwara, while Alamein FC began their season with a 2-0 defeat of FV Emerging thanks to goals from Zoe Houghton and Neve Duston.
The reigning Champions, Heidelberg United were given a scare by the always unpredictable Boroondara Eagles but fought to a 3-2 win after being down 2-1 at half time. Kathryn Vlahopoulos scored with a spectacular effort and a brace from Sawa Matsuda gave The Bergers a dramatic late win after neat finishes from Drew Dempsey and Priya Savarirayan had them staring at opening round defeat.
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