For the first time in 12 competitive games as coach, Shaun Ontong hasn’t taken all three points in a game, as his Boroondara Eagles settled for a 2-2 draw against Heidelberg United.
Twice the Bergers had the lead – through Christy Zwolski and Anisa Guajardo – only for Boroondara to claw their way back both times – through Jess Tay and Ash Callaghan.
It was a bittersweet farewell for Eagles defender Emma Littlewood, who is jetting off to ply her trade in Europe.
The hosts were coming off the back of a midweek game and were slow to close down Anisa Guajardo – fresh from her time at the World Cup with Mexico – who went on a mazy run down the touchline and cut back for Christy Zwolski to tap in after just eight minutes.
Boroondara woke up thereafter and fashioned a flurry of chances.
The first came when Taryne Boudreau controlled Rani Cavaretta’s throw in and struck a left foot effort at Fonua, who held the ball comfortably.
Moments later the ‘keeper put herself under pressure when playing out, allowing Aliesha Newman to pounce on the delivery, but made amends by saving the goalbound effort.
Sky Jensen seemed to have the ball on a platter in front of goal from a corner situation, but the ball rebounded off her and landed safely in the arms of Fonua.
The pressure mounted further when Heidelberg failed to clear their lines from a corner, allowing Rani Cavaretta to deliver a pinpoint cross in from the right, which Amy Jackson headed into the upright.
The goal eventually did come in the 34th minute when the ball was bobbling around in the Eagles’ front third, with the diminutive Ash Callaghan smartly heading the ball over United’s defensive line into the path of Jess Tay – returning to the club after a stint at Bulleen – who applied the finish.
Fonua did get a hand to the ball, but couldn’t keep it from trickling over the line with a desperate lunge.
The contest was being played hard and at a blistering tempo, with quick releases in behind the defence matched by crunching tackles by both backlines.
It almost came to a head when Laura Phillips executed an important challenge in the box, winning the ball but also collecting her opponent in the process, with the referee waving play on despite howls of protests from the home side.
However, the Bergers camp were also aggrieved at a number of 50-50 calls that didn’t go their way.
The second half saw American star Sarah Jacobs introduced onto the pitch, and she almost made an immediate impact.
Following dangerous combination play by Liv Ellis, Amy Jackson and Newman down the left, Jacobs picked it up near the right, but drove her shot at Fonua.
Heidelberg settled into a rhythm and looked threatening from set pieces, with a Demi Mihaloudis floated free kick from near the halfway line not dealt with properly by the Eagles’ defence before being desperately cleared away, while Julia Nicolaci tried her luck from a set-piece 25 yards out, but her shot was held by Anna Lanning.
Lanning was then the culprit for Guajardo’s 71st minute goal, driving her goal kick straight at the striker, who dribbled into the box and scored with a low finish.
The goal once more jolted Boroondara into action, desperate to maintain their winning streak.
However, they were initially denied by Fonua’s heroics in front of goal, who pulled off one of the most amazing double saves anybody will ever see.
Boudreau dribbled into the box from the left and sent a squaring ball across the face to Jacobs, whose shot from close range was blocked by the diving ‘keeper, with Amy Jackson also denied from point blank range on the rebound.
The custodian copped a knock for her troubles, but recovered soon enough to resume proceedings.
However, her efforts seemed in vain when Boroondara poured numbers forward with the 90 minutes approaching, and the ball found itself at Callaghan in space on the edge of the area, composing herself with a touch before unleashing a left footed rocket into the top corner of the net.
Moments earlier, the visitors were desperately unlucky not to score the sealer when Guajardo’s looping delivery across the face just evaded Nicolaci vacant at the far post.
The Eagles had the final sight at goal in extra time, but Fonua concluded her impressive showing with safe hands to hold a header from a corner, giving coach Bill Mihaloudis plenty to think about as Kelsey Quinn returns from injury.
Boroondara Eagles 2 (Tay 34′, Callaghan 87′) drew with Heidelberg United 2 (Zwolski 8′, Guajardo 71′) at Knox Regional Football Centre [HT: 1-1]
Boroondara Eagles FC: 1. Anna LANNING (GK), 16. Emma LITTLEWOOD, 5. Sky JENSEN, 22. Olivia ELLIS, 6. Ash CALLAGHAN, 31. Rani CAVARRETTA, 55. Jess TAY, 17. Emma HUBBARD (12. Sarah JACOBS 46′), 15. Amy JACKSON, 11. Aliesha NEWMAN, 7. Taryne BOUDREAU, 11. Aliesha NEWMAN (8. Ellen TURNER 85′)
Unused Substitute(s): 25. Bindi BRYCE, 21. Alondra VILLA
Heidelberg United: 21. Christine FONUA (GK), 2. Demi MIHALOUDIS (16. Stefanie GALJAR 85′), 4. Michelle VERZI, 6. Laura PHILLIPS, 10. Julia NICOLACI, 11. Aneta KOMIJAT (9. Belinda PANELLA 69’), 15. Lisa FONUA, 18. Sadie MURPHY, 22. Ellie GAVALAS (19. Pheobe PARKER 56′), 38. Christy ZWOLSKI, 50. Anisa GUAJARDO (40. Hannah RYAN 90′)
Unused Substitute(s): 1. Kelsie QUINN
Image: Barry West