By Kieran Yap 4/6/25
Above: Georgina Karaparidis surfs the corner flag.
Box Hill United defeated Preston Lions 3-1 in a game of spectacular goals and relentless attacking football.
Box Hill entered round 11 struggling for wins, but goal scoring has not been a recent problem, especially with rising star Georgina Karaparidis in for form. The 18 year old had scored in the last two games and would prove a handful for even Preston’s experienced defence.
The visiting Lions dominated the early exchanges, putting Box Hill on the back foot. Miri Nishimura was pulling the strings in attacking midfield, while Ellie La Monte and the overlapping Georgia Henderson were ominous on the left of Preston’s attack.
When the opening goal came, it was no great surprise, but the manner still left anybody watching in shock. Nishimura unleashed a dipping 25 yard strike that left Box Hill’s defenders with no chance.
Box Hill had spent much of the game playing on the counter attack with Gabrielle Simpson the busiest creative for for the home side, and the goal to Preston only opened the match up even more. In the second half the goals began to flow and it was Karaparidis who drew things level in the 64th minute.
Substitute Sara Petkaris threaded a clever pass into the path of Karaparidis’ clever ghosting run and the striker only needed one touch to finish low and into the net.
Preston tried to hit back and almost re-took the lead following a flowing move involving Nishimura, La Monte and Valentine Pursey. The chance ended up at the feet of Eliza Amendolia who’s effort brought a superb save out of Natasha Stathopoulos in goal.
Box Hill made it 2-1 in the 71st minute with an effort to match Nishimura’s opener. Fullback Josephine Aulicino received the ball near the touchline, tricked her way past one defender, and pushed beyond the next. after holding off the challenge she fired a rocket of a shot into the top corner to finish off an incredible induvial piece of play and put Box Hill ahead.
The sealer came almost immediately after. Karaparidis’ trickery and tenacity out wide created the chance, and she teed up Kaitie Cox for another brilliant curling finish.
Box Hill almost added a fourth after Emma Perone ran onto Karaparidis’ through ball, but could not beat Maggie Byrne in goal who made an unlikely one-on-one save.
Their fourth win of the season lifts Box Hill into eighth on the table, and into the traffic jam of quality sides looking to break into the finals positions. Next up they will host Bulleen Lions in what is shaping to be the game of round 12. Preston Lions will hope to respond against Spring Hills FC.
There were goals a plenty elsewhere across the league. Bulleen defeated Brunswick Juventus 3-1 despite going behind to a first half penalty by Lyela Butler.
A second half resurgence came in the form of a brace by Mary Brown. The youth team graduate scored in the 51st and 84th minutes to put Bulleen back in control and and own-goal settled matters on Saturday afternoon.
FV Academy beat Bentleigh Green 4-2 at The Home of The Matildas. Chelsea Briggs opened the scoring with a brilliant, bending effort from the corner of the box before Kaya Jugovic added a brace, including another spectacular long range strike, to put the home side well in control.
Two goals to Coco Parker brought hopes of a comeback for the visitors, but the ever deadly Fiorina Iaria settled things with a 79th minute finish to complete a Jasmine Millar’s square pass while in on goal.
Heidelberg United’s time at the top of the table continued with a 3-2 win against Essendon Royals. Last season’s Champions were made to earn it after coming from two goals down, but right now there is no stopping Sawa Matsuda, who’s hatrick was enough to see and raise Sasha Coorey’s brace for Essendon.
Heildeberg’s Japanese attacker now has 13 goals in 11 games and is the clubs most deadly forward since Danielle Wise roamed the Olympic Village stadium.
South Melbourne’s recent struggles continued. The 1-1 draw with Boroondara-Carey Eagles mean that the early pace setters are now five games without a win. They remain hard to beat, but match winning moments are frustratingly elusive for a side that was scoring for fun in the early rounds.
Raquel Derales’ 27th minute strike put South in the lead but that was surrendered in the 76th minute with a goal by Boroondara’s speedster Priya Savarirayan.
In the only other draw of the round, Alamein and Spring Hills FC played out a 0-0 result at Dorothy Laver Reserve.
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