By Georgie Lewis 13/8/25
Above: NWS Spirit. Photo: Georgie Lewis
Despite the wet and windy conditions, Round 23 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW delivered another weekend of drama, goals, and season-defining moments.
Match of the Round – Illawarra Stingrays 1–0 UNSW
Under the lights at Ian McLennan Oval, the Stingrays struck early through Poppie Hooks and held on in a tense, rain-soaked contest. Both sides came in with high stakes — the Rays chasing a premiership, UNSW fighting for a finals berth — but only the home side handled the occasion. For UNSW, who have been flying in recent weeks, this was a deflating step back at the worst possible time. For Illawarra, it was another statement win in a title race that’s going down to the wire.
Bulls FC Academy 4–1 Sydney Olympic
It was all going Olympic’s way in the first half at Northbridge Oval. Alyssa Whinham’s stoppage-time penalty gave them the lead at the break, but the Bulls roared back with a ruthless second-half display. Isabella Coco-Di Sipio was the star, scoring a hat-trick in 31 minutes, while Petria Phillips added another as Olympic’s afternoon unravelled — not helped by Chloe Gordon’s red card. The Bulls showed exactly why they’re top of the ladder: clinical, relentless, and punishing in transition.
Macarthur Rams 3–0 Sydney University
Sydney Uni came into this one as one of the league’s in-form sides, but never found their rhythm. Macarthur took full advantage, with Lola Sossai opening the scoring before Tea Mucenski took over, scoring twice in the second half — one a close-range header, the other a composed finish after a sharp turn on the edge of the box. For the Rams, the three points are massive in the relegation fight. For Uni, this was a disappointing missed opportunity to keep climbing.
APIA Leichhardt 2–0 Northern Tigers
APIA’s dream run rolled on with another win, this time over the Northern Tigers. Ashlie Crofts scored in the 4th minute with a pinpoint header, then sealed the result in stoppage time with a surging run, a cool round of the keeper, and a tidy finish. The Tigers worked hard and created chances but couldn’t find the equaliser. APIA stay second and look every inch a title contender.
Western Sydney Wanderers 4–4 NWS Spirit
This one was pure chaos. Wanderers took the lead, Spirit hit back with three quick goals, Wanderers levelled before half-time, then went ahead after the restart, only for Spirit to equalise again. Olivia Vanderlaan scored either side of the break, Lola Greenberg netted twice for Spirit, and both sides will feel they could have taken more than a point. For neutrals, it was the match of the round; for the coaches, maybe a nightmare to rewatch defensively.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 6–0 Newcastle Jets
The Rangers keep proving they’re not just here to make up the numbers. They blew the Jets away with five goals before half-time — Erin Leah Tavares scoring a hat-trick, Leena Khamis bagging two, and Rosaria Galea smashing in a beauty. Tavares completed her treble late on as the newcomers reinforced their reputation as a genuine finals threat.
Gladesville Ravens 0–3 Manly United
After holding the league leaders last week, Manly backed it up with a dominant second half at Christie Park. Sienna Dale pounced on a loose back pass to set up Ellie Kerr, then hammered in a goal of her own minutes later. Emily Minett rounded things out with a calm finish after good work from Grace Arnold. It’s a result that keeps Manly firmly in the hunt for finals football.
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