Heidelberg United came back from an early two-goal deficit to claim a priceless 3-2 Women’s Premier League victory against Boroondara Eagles in the first game at Olympic Village for 2015.
In a game that viewed more like a Puskas Award highlights reel, Bergers’ Julia Nicolaci grabbed a brace, while substitute Emma Gunn scored the winner to cancel out early strikes from Aliesha Newman and Emma Hubbard.
The Eagles burst out of the blocks with two goals in the first 13 minutes, which made for bad viewing for the home crowd.
Coach Bill Mihaloudis cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines as his outfit looked destined for a second successive defeat, as they struggled to assert themselves on the high-tempo contest that Boroondara dictated in the first half.
The first goal in the eighth minute came about because of the determination of Hubbard, who contested Warriors keeper Kelsey Quinn for possession, winning the ball inside the box and squaring up Newman for an easy finish.
She went from provider to goal scorer just five minutes later, with Quinn once again not dealing with an aerial ball, as the ball sailed over the sea of heads in the box to Hubbard who tapped into an empty net.
Heidelberg had a mammoth task ahead of them, but to their credit, made a contest of it as they carved out chances periodically in the first half.
Kiwi import Laura Phillips had a couple of bites of the cherry from a corner kick, but she couldn’t force either of her efforts goal bound with sufficient venom.
Nicolaci fired a warning shot with a walloping effort from 25 yards, which went just wide of the post, and the stretched fingertips of Boroondara reserve keeper Maddie Webster.
Just a minute later on the half hour mark, she went one better, once again shooting from the same spot, but this time with an improved result.
The midfielder struck a dipping long shot from long range, which floated over Webster into the top left corner.
Buoyed by the marvellous effort, Heidelberg continued to push, and a stunning stop from Eagles’ shot-stopper kept their lead intact, as she kept her feet to palm away Belinda Panella’s effort at the near post.
Boroondara nearly restored their two-goal lead on the stroke of half-time, as midfielder Sarah Jacobs hit a tidy volley from the edge of the area, which went low, into the diving arms of American Quinn.
They were almost made to pay for it too, as Adelyn Ayton rattled the crossbar from outside the area with one of the final kicks of the half.
The very same post was tested early in the second half too, and it stood firm for goalscorer Newman’s effort from inside the area.
Fresh off a hat-trick last weekend, Victory W-League star Amy Jackson somehow failed to extend her sides lead, as she chipped Quinn, but saw her effort drift wide of the post.
It was a chance that seemed harder to miss than score, and she was made to pay dearly for the missed opportunity, as Nicolaci added a second for the afternoon soon after.
A seemingly benign 35-yard free-kick on 73 minutes was seen as an opportunity to shoot for the Berger, as she lined up a shot and watched her effort drift just under the crossbar to tie the contest.
But the best was yet to come for the hosts, not only in terms of result, but the quality of goal.
Having witnessed Nicolaci’s efforts from distance, recruit Emma Gunn set out to best her teammate, hitting a wicked 35-yard strike from the right wing across the face of goals and into the top corner.
Mad celebrations followed and a trigger happy Heidelberg held on to steal a precious three points from the grasp of Boroondara.
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Heidelberg United 3 (Nicolaci 29’ 73’, Gunn 80’) defeated Boroondara Eagles 2 (Newman 8’ Hubbard 13’)
Heidelberg United: 1. Kelsey QUINN (GK), 4. Michelle VERZI (c), 6. Laura PHILLIPS, 7. Maggie EUDES (18. Sadie MURPHY 70’), 9. Belinda PANNELLA (8. Emma GUNN 69’), 10. Julia NICOLACI, 11. Aneta KOMIJAT (12. Bonnie BARNES 57’), 13. Adelyn AYTON, 15. Lisa FONUA, 16. Steph GALJAR (17. Natasha LUSI 57’), 24. Christina MANCUSO (22. Ellie GAVALAS 70’)
Yellow Card(s): Pannela 36’, Verzi 89’
Red Card(s): Nil
Boroondara Eagles: 1. Maddie WEBSTER (GK), 22. Aurore MARTIN, 5. Sky JENSEN, 16. Emma LITTLEWOOD, 9. Alex GUMMER, 2. Sarah JACOBS, 17. Emma HUBBARD (12. Sarah PETTY 76’), 10. Emma GROSS (7. Racheal QUIGLEY 46’), 37. Taryne BOUDREAU (6. Ash CALLAGHAN 80’), 15. Amy JACKSON, 11. Aliesha NEWMAN
Unused Substitute(s): 8. Ellen TURNER
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil