Image: Heidelberg United
All NPLW teams in action in the Team App Cup progressed through to the next round with varying degrees of difficulty in their Round 3 encounters.
State League heavyweights Melbourne University pushed Heidelberg United all the way but the Bergers fought for a 2-1 win in extra time.
Savannah Holliday’s first half goal looked like it had her side set on progressing via a big upset but Grace Abbey equalised with four minutes left in regular time, before Elise Mamanu Gray bailed the Bergers out seven minutes into extra time.
The result evoked some déjà vu as it was in last year’s cup that Heidelberg also battled to a 2-1 result over University on their road to claiming the cup.
South Melbourne NPLW succeeded against former WPL club Bundoora United with a 4-2 win.
Ex-Heidelberg United player Holly Tsalikidis’ brace wasn’t enough as a double to Aimee Medwin and additional strikes to Leah Scroggie and Kathryn Vlahopoulos did the trick, with South resting a number of high-profile names including Lisa De Vanna, who didn’t line up against her old club.
No such trouble for Bulleen Lions and Box Hill United.
Natasha Lusi scored against her old club and Georgia Peel was also on the scoreboard for Eltham but, with a strong line-up on the park Bulleen had too much firepower in a 7-2 win against the Eltham Redbacks.
Em Coppock netted her first since returning to the Veneto Club, while Alexandra Amore had a brace and there were also individual goals to Brittany Dudley-Smith, Caity Friend, Keely Lockhart and Eleni Fakos.
Box Hill were also on the board seven times in a 7-1 win over Mooroolbark on Tuesday night.
Hayley Guerts netted a brace alongside strikes to Kristina Hall, Ellen Turner, Isabella Battaglia, Melanie Martinez and Ebru Efe, with Barkers captain Amy D’Ortenzio netting the only goal for her side.
Keilor Park are the other club alongside South Melbourne, Heidelberg, Bulleen and Box Hill into the quarter finals, having defeated Sandringham SC on Sunday.
Calder United face former champions Booroondara tonight, while Alamein take on Southern United and Galaxy United face Croydon City arrows in weeks to come.