By Kieran Yap 25/2/26
Above: Sloane Young of Avondale FC
Round Two of the Victorian NPLW threw up some surprising results, and some impressive individual performances. Impetus looks back at the weekend’s action and shows some appreciation for hatrick heroes.
The matches kicked off on Friday night with Box Hill reminding everybody that they are the current champions. An 8-0 thrashing of Bentleigh Greens was a huge return to form following last week’s loss to Essendon, with the damage done in the first 40 minutes.
Erin Keyt opened her account for the season with three goals in 33 minutes. The first was a well taken half volley at close range following good build up play featuring Maho Murakami and Juri Kawano on the right flank.
Kawano doubled the lead herself with a tap in after Box Hill opened up Bentleigh on that same flank again. Keyt brought up her brace before tha half hour mark after finishing off Gabrielle Simpson’s cross. She then turned provider from Kiara Bercelli, but her shot was saved by Ruby Samild in goal.
Bercelli returned the favour for Keyt just minute later, and the forward completed her hatrick, this time finishing a cross from the left.
Kawano’s header in the 40th minute made it five before half time and effectively the contest was over. The nightmare continud through the second half with Kawano bringing up her own hatrick and two more added by Bercelli and Summer Trask.
The win was comprehensive and at this stage, it is hard to know which side it really says more about. Box Hill’s finishing was excellent and their creation of chances was relentless, but Bentleigh will also know they are capable of playing better, or at least defending more resolutely. The response to this game by both sides will be interesting.
Friday’s other match was a tighter affair. Preston Lions and South Melbourne played out a 1-1 draw at Genis Steel Stadium. New Preston recruit Hollie Massey opened the scoring in the 37th minute, but Meisha Westland’s second half penalty earned South a draw away from home. Once again, Charlotte Hrehoresin was outstanding between the sticks and is looking like a very good signing for Preston.
Saturday saw Bulleen Lions travel to face Avondale FC in an entertaining match that ended up with a one-sided result. Bulleen started the stronger side, with Sarah Cain making an obvious impact in midfield. The Lions had plenty of the ball, but the midfield and attack sometimes felt like they were still adjusting to each other at times and Avondale looked dangerous on the counter attack, especially with World Cup goalscorer Hannah Wilkinson leading the line.
Sloane Young made the headlines with three well taken goals, including a calm finish in the 73rd minute to extinguish any hope of a Bulleen comeback. Beattie Goad was at her menacing best on the left while Isabella Accardo had an impressive performance against her old side.
Avondale’s lineup alone hinted at performances like this, and given the opposition and the style in which this result was achieved, they look like they might be the team they have been hyped up to be.
Margeaux Clarke’s fifth minute goal was all tat separated Melbourne City and Spring Hills FC.
Taliso Soto’s through ball opened up the City defence and Clarke was one hand to complete the move with a finish, unmarked in the penalty area. This was an improved performance from City and a good win by Spring Hills, although a hard game to watch in the literal sense with an extreme case of kits clashing.
In Saturday’s other game, Keilor Park SC and Alamein FC both continued their undefeated starts to the season with a 0-0 draw at Keilor Park Recreational Reserve.
Sunday was witness to two very entertaining matches. The Boroondara Eagles made the trip to face Essendon Royals with a Coco Parker inspired win by the visitors. This was a more even contest than the 3-1 result indicate, but Boroondara’s finishing was ruthless, and they made the most of their opportunities for an impressive win.
Essendon looked to have the opening goal, but it was chalked off for offside and goalkeeper Zara Board pulled off an excellent save to keep the scores level at the other end.
Akeisha Sandhu brought the best out of Mia Mossman, who pulled off a remarkable close range save to stop the new Essendon signing from scoring, and that proved fateful when Genevieve Fontes scored the opener from long range after Board was forced to come off her line.
Sarah Brunner and Parker added two more before Essendon hinted at a comeback through Kelli McGroarty’s penalty kick. Parker’s in particular was a stunning solo effort borne of effort, skill and composure. She chased down a wide pass and cut inside from the flank to finish calmly at the near post in one of the best strikes of a goal-packed weekend. The 3-1 win means Boroondara have now scored seven in their first two matches and look set for another strong season.
Melbourne Victory brought some big guns out at the Home of The Matildas. Sienna Saveska, Rosie Curtis, Jess Young and Ella O’Grady joined the U23 team from the senior squad with both star strikers finding the net in a 2-2 draw with Heidelberg United.
The Bergers were not intimidated by the illustrious if young opposition and took a 2-0 lead into half time. Samantha Curwood-Wanger’s tireless chasing helped create a turnover, and when she was eventually passed the ball she was able to finish from an improbable angle.
Heidelberg’s second came through Aya Sasaki with a low struck effort from the edge of the box. Victory had controlled the early part of the game, but were susceptible to Heidelberg’s counterattacks.
The home side found their way back into the match through and excellent team move. Rosie Curtis cut off a promising Heidelberg move and Sienna Saveskas traded passes with Poppy O’Keeffe to put the playmaker into space in attack. O’Keeffe threaded a ball through to O’Grady and Victory had one back.
Saveska’s long range effort in the 69th minute levelled the scores and although Heidelberg regained the upper hand in the later stages, neither side could find a winner. It was another impressive outing for the Victory youngsters and encouraging improvement from Heidelberg who’s new signings appear to have clicked early in the season.
In appreciation of… Hatrick Heroes.
Remarkably, three players scored hatricks this round the two of them were in the same game. Erin Keyt took just 21 minutes to score three times, while her teammate Juri Kawano equalled her tally by the end of the match. The pair put Bentleigh to the sword and took their chances to ensure that Box Hill’s dominance was reflected in the scoreline. By halftime the team had 16 shots on goal, with five hitting the back of the net.
Keyt was clinical. For her three goals, she only needed four touches with her last one coming off the left boot and perfectly placed in the bottom corner.
Kawano was just as threatening, but in a different way. She was mobile and creative where Keyt was instinctive and composed. Kawano’s third involved brilliant off-the-ball movement, and a combination of quick passes involving a backheel to open up space. The finish was just as good, and while this was a tough day for Bentleigh goalkeepers, they cannot shoulder the blame as Box Hill’s two attackers were in irrepressible form. It was a joy to watch from a neutral perspective.
Sloane Young was just as impressive for Avondale in their win against Bulleen. The Number Nine, might not be the biggest name in a squad stacked with former international footballers and NPLW winners, but she was the most exciting player on the pitch last weekend.
Young scored three very different goals for Avondale and really was the difference between the sides. Her first was a scrambled, determined effort from close range, the second was the result of an excellent turn and finish from the edge of the box, and the third completed a flowing move with Hannah Wilkinson providing the final ball.
Young played a complete forward’s game in a contest between two ambitious and talented sides.
All three players were brilliantly effective for their sides. In the end, the game is about goals, and with three-a-piece, these players were a joy to watch.
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