Shock results and premiers on the backfoot: All the NPL NSW Women round one highlights

Both the reigning champions and last years’ premiers were unable to start their NPL NSW season off with a win, while two new teams hit the ground running. Check out all the highlights from round one.

NPL NSW Women's round one.

REIGNING champions Macarthur Rams got off to a shaky start to their 2023 NPL Women’s campaign, barely snatching a point against Manly United.

Newly promoted teams Gladesville Ravens and Bulls FC Academy had mixed fortunes, while Bankstown City have taken an early lead at the top of the ladder.

Check out all the highlights from round one.

APIA Leichhardt FC def. Sydney University SFC 4-2

The reigning premiers Sydney University were a shell of themselves as they went down in devastating fashion to APIA Leichhardt.

Isabella Coco-Di Sipio showed why she was promoted to APIA’s first team, creating multiple chances and finding the back of the net in the 54th minute.

Coco-Di Sipio also set up the opening goal just before half time for Ashlie Crofts, who managed to give APIA a four-goal lead midway through the second half.

Sydney University were able to claw back two goals thanks to Rojin Polat and Margaux Chauvet, but the four goal deficit was too much to break down.

Isabella Coco-Di Sipio stars for APIA Leichhardt against Sydney University in NPL NSW round one. Photo by Brett Nielsen Photography.

Bankstown City Lions def. Blacktown Spartans FC 3-0

A belting goal from a corner from Alexia Karrys-Stahl set the scene early for the Lions’ dominant 3-0 win over Blacktown Spartans.

Siobhan Edwards was powerful at the front for the Lions, capitalising on a mistake from the Spartans’ backline to create two chances at goal, one of which was converted by teammate Daisy Arrowsmith just 10 minutes after the opening goal to make it 2-0 heading into the break.

Spartans keeper Makayla Kent was strong in goals despite the scoreline, denying multiple shots on goal to keep her team in the match.

But the Lions couldn’t be held back, and a final goal by Baxter Thew early in the second half cemented the victory.

Sydney Olympic FC def. NWS Spirit FC 3-0

Olympic and Spirit were evenly matched through much of the first half, but a penalty conceded by the Koalas and converted by Kiara De Domizio in the 20th minute turned the tides in Olympic’s favour.

The Koala’s Natalie Casha was shown red early in the second half as a result of two yellows in quick succession, leaving the side a player down for the majority of the half.

Goals for Sarah Yatim and Lacie Bowling in the 61st and 90th minute respectively were enough to seal all three points for Olympic.

Sydney Olympic dominate NWS Spirit in NPL NSW Women's round one. Photo by Chris Paraskevas.

Football NSW Institute def. Gladesville Ravens 2-0

It was a disappointing NPL debut for the Gladesville Ravens, as they went down to Football NSW Institute 2-0 on home turf.

Teenager Mikayla Duong was everywhere for the Institute, scoring both goals and picking up a yellow card before being subbed off late in regulation time.

The Ravens squandered multiple opportunities in the area and were outclassed by the younger Institute side.

The result will be a massive boost for the Institute as they try to better their 11th place finish last season.

Northern Tigers def. Illawarra Stingrays 3-0

Last year’s grand finalists Northern Tigers left it to the final 20 minutes of their clash with Illawarra Stingrays to claim all three points as they secured a 3-0 victory at home.

Despite the scoreline through the majority of the match, the Tigers just had an edge over the Stingrays, but couldn’t convert that into goals.

The Tigers managed to finally get on the scoresheet in the 70th minute, with Sienna Fraser-Kelly scoring her first of two goals to start the season.

Jessica Garrett confirmed the victory with a goal late in regulation, with Tigers keeper Chloe Tseros able to keep a clean sheet.

Ashlee Brodigan of Northern Tigers. Photo: Aptitudephotography

Macarthur Rams draw with Manly United 2-2

An incredibly tight clash between the reigning champions Macarthur and Manly United resulted in the points being shared in a 2-2 draw at Lynwood Park.

The two sides were inseparable in the first half, with the Rams unable to capitalise on four shots on goal ahead of the break.

United gained the upper hand early in the second half thanks to a goal from young gun Emily Minette, which was backed up by a second from Caitlin Jarvie 15 minutes later to give United a 2-0 lead.

However, Macarthur were miraculously able to come back into the game with just minutes to go, with Leena Khamis finding the back of the net in the 87th minute.

Amalia Plummer then levelled the scores in injury time, securing a point for the defending champions.

Teenager Amalia Plummer secures a point for Macarthur Rams FC against Manly United in NPL NSW Women's Round one. Photo by Joseph Baidengan.

Bulls FC Academy def. Emerging Jets 3-2

Bulls FC Academy’s first ever NPL Women’s campaign has gotten off to the best start, downing Emerging Jets 3-2 at Lake Macquarie.

A belting shot from just over halfway from Liz Grey set the scene for a hugely entertaining match, with the Bulls taking the lead not even 10 minutes in.

The Jets countered with a goal of their own thanks to Josie Allan, but Avaani Prakash answered only a minute later to give the Bulls back the lead heading into half time.

Peta Trimis secured the victory for the new team, and another goal for Josie Allan wasn’t enough to the Jets to claim any points.