By Kieran Yap 25/8/25
Above: FV Academy celebrate their second goal against Boroondara-Carey Eagles
FV Academy won their fourth game of the season with a 3-1 result against Boroondars-Carey Eagles. A virtuoso performance from Poppy O’Keefe, first half brace to Jasmine Millar and Emily Rutkowski’s late goal decided the game.
In front of Matildas senior coach Joe Montemurro, and just days after a midweek match against Spring Hills FC, FV Academy put on their best performance of 2025.
Despite the absences of key attacking stars like Kaya Jugovic and Clancy Westaway, they controlled the majority of the match against tough opposition and scored three past Matildas and A-League Women legend Melissa Barbieri.
The itent was clear from the outset. FV Academy pressed hard, moved the ball quickly and remained organised despite the relentless pace they had set.
Fiorina Iaria enjoyed plenty of space on the left, and used it to menace the Boroondara defence. Her early run and shot helped set the tone.
Chelsea Biggs joined Poppy O’Keeffe in midfield and the pair controlled the game. O’Keeffe was busy throughout as she pulled the strings for most of th FV Academy’s best moves, and Biggs was able to get forward and help the attack.
The opening goal came in just the 14th minute, when Millar nodded home the rebound from close range following excellent, composed buildup play through midfield. ‘
Emily Rutkowski put in another excellent performance, joining fellow Melbourne Victory youth player O’Keeffe in making yet another strong case for elevation to a senior A-League squad.
Rutkowski’s linked up with Iaria to create another great opportunity, but Boroondara were able to clear the lines temporarily.
O’Keeffe’s driving run and well-weighted pass set up FV Academy’s second goal. Millar timed her run well, but still had plenty to fo and cut inside the last defender to finish beyond Barbieri right before half time.
FV Academy began the second half in the same style as the first. Once again, a long, threatening run from Iaria almost resulted in a goal, but the finish was just slightly too wide.
Boroondara eventually grew into the game and gave themselves a lifeline through Saki Nagai’s 63rd minute finish. A rare error in defending a set piece gave her the chance and she grabbed it to bring the scorte back to 2-1.
Buoyed by that goal, Boroondara began to apply pressure to the FV Academy defenders and forward Rachel Stirton became more involved. With The Eagles hunting for an equaliser, Charlotte Hrehoresin was called into action, making an excellent and game changing stop when a goal looked likely.
To their credit, FV Academy did not break under pressure and regained control of the match. O’Keeffe’s sliding tackle and calm forward pass best epitomised and encapsulated the team’s performance. They were all willing to put in the gritty work but also showed class when they won the ball.
Jasmine Millar remained hatrick hunting, but her shots could not beat Barbieri and Rutkowski’s back post finish put the game to bed in the 87th minute. It was the versatile fullback’s third goal of the season and the perfect way to cap off another excellent performance.
FV Academy play their final game net week against Bentleigh Greens, and will hope to end on another high before the program closes down and A-League clubs form their own NPLW sides. Despite the struggles of running a state federation academy, they have routinely produced high quality players and have always been compulsory watching each season.
In Round 21 of the 2025 NPLW season, they put in a performance that every player who has come through the program would have been proud of and yet another reminder of what the states best youngsters are capable of at senior level.
Joe Montemurro would have been impressed.
Around The Grounds
FV’s midweek opponents Spring Hills FC had a much tougher weekend. They travelled to face the in-form and still improving Box Hill United.
A 57th minute goal to Josephine Aulicino was all that separated the sides on the scoresheet. But even with returning U23 International Sofia Sakalis on the bench, Box Hill were in control for most of this game.
Rhianna Pollicina was once again a standout performer for the Victors, but it was rising star Georgia Karaparidis who proved too much to handle. The winger’s tricky footwork and shot off the post provided Aulicino with an easy finish in the second half.
Bulleen Lions four goal game rained on Heidelberg United’s victory parade.
Water is wet, the sun rises in the East and Bulleen are a threat from set pieces are just three laws of nature.
Isabel Dehakiz opened the scoring for Bulleen from a corner in the 10th minute and an excellent solo effort from Ava Briedis doubled the advantage.
Dehakiz scored a second from another corner to make it 3-0 in the second half, before Sawa Matsuda pulled one back for Heidelberg with a brave header.
A comeback looked unlikely with Bulleen really needing the win to secure second place on the table, and any doubt was put to rest when Holly Massie took full advantage of a defensive error to make it 4-1.
Olivia Wood’s first half goal looked to be a sign on Essendon Royals continued late season surge, but South Melbourne rallied in the second half and ended the round as 2-1 winners thanks to Olivia Bomford’s equaliser and a late winner from Raquel Derales.
South Melbourne cannot make the top four but sent a reminder that The Royals can be beaten despite their imposing recent form.
The loss sees Essendon drop from a possible second to fourth.
Rebecca Saber returned to haunt her former club with a brace for Bentleigh Greens against Alamein FC.
Anna Liacopoulos conceded an own goal for Bentleigh’s third with Maximillia scoring a second half equaliser for Alamein.
Brunswick Juventus and Preston Lions walked away with a 0-0 draw in the only scoreless game of the round.
Brunswick now face the challenge of playing Bulleen in the final game of the season and will hope to end a difficult campaign on a high note in Round 22.
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