Newly crowned WPL Premiers Boroondara Eagles have received a late season reality check, suffering their first defeat under coach Shaun Ontong, a 2-1 loss to Box Hill United.
On a fantastic night for the visitors, goals to Melanie Camilleri and Cristina Cardaci were enough to overcome the runaway league leaders, who struck through the league’s leading goal scorer Amy Jackson.
The match opened in fine fashion, with Camilleri finding a goal inside the opening 10 minutes of the game.
Best-on-ground Cardaci carried the ball forward, to launch a penetrating attack down the right wing, enabling Camilleri to slot home the finish to give the away team a huge boost early in the contest.
With the lead against the Premiers spurring them on, Box Hill held firm against the formidable build-up play of Boroondara, defending as hard as they’d attacked.
Amy Jackson was a threat throughout the night, with multiple early chances keeping Melissa Barbieri on her toes.
Aliesha Newman came incredibly close to an equaliser just past the half-hour mark as her shot from range threatened to sneak under the crossbar.
Were it not for the superb balance of Barbieri – who grasped the ball right on the goal-line – the Eagles would’ve had their equaliser, but the ‘keeper ensured her and the ball’s momentum didn’t continue into the net.
As the whistle blew to signal half-time, both teams had managed clear-cut chances but it was only Box Hill that were able to convert.
The second half began much the same as the first, and it wasn’t long before Boroondara levelled the match through Jackson.
The midfield maestro was put through past the Box Hill backline, and she didn’t waste her opportunity; a powerful strike ensured the ball found the back of the net despite Barbieri managing a hand on the shot.
With the score now 1-1 just four minutes into the second-half, the Eagles continued to pile the pressure on the visitors.
Their press forced a turnover deep in Box Hill’s defence on the hour mark and the Eagles were quick to shoot with Barbieri well out of position.
Somehow though, the Matildas stopper managed to turn the effort around the upright.
Taryne Boudreau had a great chance to give the home side the lead only for Barbieri to once again intervene, this time with back-to-back saves from point-blank range.
Boroondara boasted strong periods of dominance for much of the second half, but Box Hill stood tall and earned reward for their resilience in the 75th minute through Cardaci.
The winger – who was now playing more centrally – burst through the middle of the park, only coming undone on the edge of the penalty area by a clambering Boroondara defence.
But the Eagles failed clear the danger far enough, allowing Cardaci to regain possession almost exactly where she’d lost it moments before.
She wasted no time in capitalising on the turnover, giving Box Hill the lead well against the run of play.
Late dramas saw the Eagle’s coach sent to the change rooms along with Kayla Michaels – who recieved her marching orders – delaying the match for some time.
Boroondara continued to fight for an equaliser and deep into added-time – with almost the last kick of the game – they found one final effort, only to be denied by the crossbar.
As the final whistle blew after some seven minutes of added time, Box Hill were given reason to celebrate their season, erupting in cheers of joy after defeating the 2015 Premiers and Team App Cup holders in a brilliant display of football from both sides.
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Boroondara Eagles 1 (Jackson 48’) was defeated by Box Hill United 2 (Camilleri 8’, Cardaci 75’) at Knox Regional Football Centre [HT: 0-1]
Boroondara Eagles: 21. Freya CROCKER (GK), 31. Rani CAVARRETIA, 55. Jess TAY, 9. Alex GUMMER, 52. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Ash CALLAGHAN, 11. Aliesha NEWMAN, 15. Amy JACKSON, 7. Taryne BOUDREAU, 2. Sarah JACOBS, 51. Kayla MICHAELS
Substitute(s): 1. Mia MOSSMAN, 50. Lucy JOUNSTONE, 88. Kayo KUGIMIYA, 12. Sarah PETTY
Yellow Card(s): Boudreau 68’ & Newman 79’
Red Card(s): Michaels 89’
Box Hill United: 11. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 13. Penny BAKOPOULOS, 20. Melanie CAMILLERI, 8. Cristina CARDACI, 2. Renee ZAIRIS, 16. Demitra KALLIANIS, 14. Georgia KOUTROUVELIS, 18. Annie REMMAN, 4. Madelaine RICHARDSON, 5. Sarah WALSH, 10. Elaina VATCKY
Substitute(s): 15. Hayley GUERTS, 9. Rachel TOOSE, 6. Alexandra AMORE, 21. Elise KYRGIOS, 7. Selena KARLSON
Yellow Card(s): Vatcky 79’
Red Card(s): Nil