By Kieran Yap 2/9/25
Above: Heidelberg United celebrate one of their three goals. Photo: Isabelle Campbell.
The regular season of the NPLW Vic has been completed. The final four has been decided, there were goals galore in the last weekend and we say goodbye to FV Academy’s senior team.
Box Hill had the most to gain from this round. A win against Preston Lions would consolidate third place and allow them to avoid premiers Heidelberg United in the semi final.
Preston have not had the easiest season but were eager to deliver a strong performance to farewell their departing Grand Final coach Dan Foden.
Ellie La Monte-Whyte gave Preston the best possible start, a clever first touch, a better second one and a decisive third gave the Lions the opening goal in the fourth minute. That lead only lasted a few minutes before a freak goal restored parity. A bad defensive turnover gave Sofia Sakalis the chance to set up Maho Murakami for a long range strike.
The shot was blocked but somehow bounced and spun over the goalkeeper’s head for a remarkable goal.
That goal opened the floodgates and the scoring did not stop for the rest of the afternoon. Sakalis won the ball back in midfield and the ball worked its way wide to Olivia Ellis. Her cross evaded everyone to fly into the back of the net and give Box Hill the lead.
Preston drew level through a stunning solo effort from Emily Roach. The midfielder created space for herself before unleashing a 30 yard missile over the head of the Box Hill goalkeeper.
Josephine Aulicono’s long run from defence created Box Hill’s third. She took off from fullback and cut into midfield. Sakalis provided the final ball and Carina Rossi finished confidently to restore Box Hill’s lead.
The combination of Sakalis and Rhianna Pollicina has been a key reason for Box Hill’s surge up the table this season and after supplying two, Sakalis scored one for herself. She turned into space at the edge of the box and with the Preston defence retreating slightly, she shot from distance to make it 4-2.
Box Hill’s fifth arrive almost immediately after. Pollicina’s cross was hammered home by Elwen Parbery with a brilliant half-volley. With Box Hill’s attack now competing for goal of the season contender Sienna Techera was next to nominate herself. She cut inside from the right wing and sent a curling effort into the far top corner.
Box Hill’s seventh and final of the day arrived in the 85th minute. Auicino rounded the goalkeeper and provided Pollicina with an easy finish in the six yard box. The result was the latest in a nine-game winning steak from Box Hill and an ominous warning for their finals rivals. They are a team in form and playing their best football at the right time of year, but comparing Round 25 results, anything they can do, Bulleen set out to do better.
Around The Grounds:
By the time most people had found their seat and nagivated the maze caused by a Veneto Club Salami Fesitval, Bulleen were already 2-0 up against Brunswick Juventus.
Danella Butrus scored the first from lose range and then earned a penalty minutes later for Tiffany Eliadis to score from.
After being a late withdrawl from last week’s game against Heidelberg, Butrus looked like she was on a mission to make up for lost time and potential Gold Medal votes.
The winger scored a trademark goal, cutting in from the left and shooting viciously with her right to make it 3-0 in the 12th minute.
Brunswick’s ladder position was already established coming into this game and Bulleen could not drop below second, so this was a chance for the Lions to sharpen their claws ahead of finals. Alana Cortellino made space for herself on the left and set up Izabel Dahakiz for the home side’s fouirth in the 21st minute.
It was 5-0 before half time. Paige Zois over a set peice usually spells trouble for the opposition and her excellent corner was directed in with a strong Isaballa Accardo header.
Another Zois corner, this time from the opposite side provided Butrus with her third before half time. The winger nodded in from close range to make it six goal Bulleen before the break.
Butrus’s trickery earned Bulleen a 57th minute penalty and complete a remarkable performance in an incredible individual season. Zois stepped up to convert the spot kick and scored a well deserved goal after two assists and coming close from open play herself.
With the result well beyond doubt, attention turned to keeping the staring players fresh and giving others and opportunity to be match sharp for the semi final. Five changes were made including Claudia Mihocic taking to the pitch and Rosie Rodger putting in a promising looking shaft.
The eighth and final goal arrived in the 75th minute. Accardo scored her second via a glancing header from Ava Brieidis’s out swinging corner kick.
The 8-0 result means that Box Hill will be facing the only team that outscored them in Round 25, and sets up an entertaining match up in the semi final.
Heidelberg United rediscovered their winning form with a 3-0 win over fellow finals side Essendon Royals.
Steph Galea opened the scoring after taking advantage of a defensive error and Tamar Levin added their second after half time following a rapid counter attack.
Caitlin Karic sealed the win with Heidelberg’s third. She finished from close range after another end to end move from the premiers
South Melbourne ended the season on a high with a 5-0 win over Boroondara–Carey Eagles.
Heidi Dalton was the first to find the net with a long range effort on the turn.
The second came almost directly from a corner kick with Alexis Pantazopoulos being eventually credited for the goal.
Isabella Rako scored their third after rounding Mia Mossman and keeping her composure from a tight angle.
South scored twice in the dying minutes of added time to cap off the victory. Akeisha Sandu made it 4-0 with a close range header and Dalton brought up her brace following Grace Taranto’s excellent tackle, run and pass.
Alamein FC ended a strong season with a 1-0 win over Spring Hills FC. Jessica Shilton was the only scorer of the game after getting on the the of a long ball into the box.
Alamein pushed until the end of the season, and although they will be disappointed with missing finals, it was a year in which nobody looked forward to playing them.
The final game of FV Academy’s senior team’s history ended with a 2-1 win over Bentleigh Greens.
Emily Rutkowski’s free kick opened the scoring. It was the latest in a series of spectacular strikes from the versatile defender.
Bentleigh drew level after Sidney Allen’s cross was finished at the far post by Caitlin Storay.
But FV Academy were determined to end their season with a win and achieved that through a late penalty kick from Jasmine Millar.
It was another good result and strong performance by FV Academy, and although it will be a shame that this is the last we will see of this squad together, many of them are sure to be stars in this league and likely on bigger stages.
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