By Georgie Lewis 30/7/25
Above: Aideen Keane celebrates her goal. Photo: Georgie Lewis
It was an action-packed Round 21 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition, with a few surprise results reshaping the ladder ahead of the final stretch. With top-four ambitions and relegation battles on the line, every game carried extra weight — and the drama did not disappoint.
Match of the Round: Sydney University 1-2 UNSW
Sydney Uni Football Ground
UNSW FC kept their finals hopes alive with a determined 2-1 win over Sydney University under the lights at Sydney Uni Football Ground.
The away side started brightly, with Akala Howell tested early and Sofia Fante forced into a pair of saves to keep UNSW corners out. At the other end, Uni nearly took the lead through Poppy Tay, but Howell was up to the task.
It was Trudy Camilleri who broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, beating two defenders and unleashing a stunning long-range strike into the top corner. Sydney Uni responded 10 minutes later through Talia Kapetanelis, who rose highest to power home a header from a corner — showing she’s just as lethal in the air as she is with her left foot.
But it was a well-worked team move that handed UNSW the winner on the stroke of half-time — Camilleri slipping a perfectly weighted pass to Chloe Smith, who rounded the keeper and finished coolly for her first league goal in nine matches.
UNSW created further chances through Leixa Puxty and Angelique Hristodoulou in the second half, but Fante held firm. Despite late pressure from the home side, UNSW’s backline stood tall to secure a crucial three points in the finals race.
Bulls FC Academy 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
Northbridge Oval
The Bulls edged a narrow but dominant 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers to maintain their position at the top of the table.
Jynaya Dos Santos sparked the decisive moment in the 27th minute, winning the ball and feeding Petria Phillips, who battled through pressure and poked home past the outrushing Aimee Hall. From there, the Bulls controlled possession and territory but were unable to extend their lead.
Wanderers struggled to mount a consistent attacking threat and were largely pinned in their own half for much of the contest. Despite missed chances, the Bulls did enough to hold on for another important win.
Sydney Olympic 4-2 NWS Spirit FC
Valentine Sports Park
Sydney Olympic returned to form in spectacular fashion with a 4-2 win over finals-chasing NWS Spirit FC, led by a sensational Aideen Keane hat-trick.
Keane opened the scoring within two minutes with a stunning strike, and after Spirit equalised through Victoria Martin — thanks to a lovely ball over the top from Bethany Gordon — she restored Olympic’s lead with a dazzling solo effort just before the break.
Alyssa Whinham added a third after reacting fastest to a loose ball, before Keane completed her hat-trick in the 84th minute with a composed finish from range. Spirit managed a late consolation via Lola Greenberg, but the points stayed in Belmore.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3-0 Macarthur Rams
Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers bounced back to winning ways with a commanding 3-0 victory over Macarthur Rams.
Erin Leah Tavares struck inside three minutes, capitalising on a loose header back to the Rams keeper. Leena Khamis doubled the lead just before half-time, finishing off a slick move started by Rosaria Galea and Roukayah Al Fararjeh.
In the second half, Galea turned provider once again, keeping a wayward cross alive and lifting it back in for Khamis to nod home her second. The win gives the Rangers a timely boost heading into the final rounds.
APIA Leichhardt 2-1 Manly United
Lambert Park
Ashlie Crofts bagged a brace as APIA Leichhardt took a huge step towards finals with a 2-1 win over fellow top-four contenders Manly United.
Crofts opened the scoring after a clever ball in behind from Charlotte Lancaster, drilling a low finish past Nicole Simonsen. Manly equalised early in the second half through a slick corner routine, Alexia Forner’s curling cross sneaking straight in at the far post.
But Crofts proved the difference once more, heading home in the 72nd minute from a corner in a crowded box to seal the points. APIA now sit just one point outside the top four.
Illawarra Stingrays 0-0 Northern Tigers
Macedonia Park
The Stingrays and Tigers shared the spoils in a tense 0-0 draw that may have major consequences for Illawarra’s Premiership hopes.
Northern Tigers came out on the front foot, controlling large spells of possession and creating the better chances. But Brianna Edwards was excellent between the posts, cutting out dangerous balls and standing tall under pressure.
The Stingrays had one scare late on when Edwards handled just outside the box, but the resulting free-kick was cleared. A point each, but it feels like two lost for the South Coast side.
Gladesville Ravens 6-0 Newcastle Jets
Christie Park
Eliza Familton ran riot with a hat-trick as Gladesville Ravens demolished Newcastle Jets 6-0 in their most dominant performance of the season.
Familton opened the scoring early and doubled her tally before the break. Goals from Taren King and Keisha Allen gave the Ravens a 3-0 cushion by half-time.
Despite some improvement from the Jets in the second half, the floodgates opened late. Familton grabbed her third after a defensive error, and Patricia Charalambous added a sixth in stoppage time to round off a ruthless display.
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