The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL Women’s side drew 1–1 with the Illawarra Stingrays in an exciting end-to-end contest at Wanderers Football Park.
The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL Women’s side played out an exciting contest against the Illawarra Stingrays that ended in a 1-1 draw at Wanderers Football Park.
The Wanderers welcomed Charlotte Bradshaw, Frida Karaberis, and Olivia Vanderlaan into the starting side as they looked to reshuffle the squad ahead of their third game in seven days.
Danika Matos, Sienna Saveska, and Brooklyn Hudson lined up against the Wanderers for the first time this season following their A-League campaigns with the Rooty Hill side, as they looked to disrupt plans against familiar faces.
The first chance of the game fell to Hudson, who unleashed a shot from distance after breaking in behind, although Aimee Hall defused any danger with a strong pair of hands.
Alvina Khoshaba made the difference in the 10th minute, as the young fullback placed her free kick under the bar to open the scoring.
Siobhan Edwards went down in the penalty area following a challenge from the Wanderers defence, and after a discussion between the officials, a penalty was awarded.
Aimee Hall dived the correct way to deny the clinical striker her maiden goal of the game.
Sophia Christopherson headed her chance into the net in the 60th minute to bring the scores level following a pinballing corner attempt.
Minutes later, Christopherson was inches away from doubling the Stingrays’ lead as she watched her shot travel just wide of the post.
The final chance of the match fell to Edwards, who sent her strike over the bar in the dying moments.
The draw sees both teams maintain their positions on the table, with the Stingrays remaining in third, five points behind first, while the Wanderers stay just above the Gladesville Ravens, who, after a 4–0 win over the Macarthur Rams, sit one point behind.
The two sides will battle it out again on Sunday at Christie Park, where a win for the Wanderers could create vital separation between them and the bottom four.
