NPL Women Match Report: Box Hill United fight back to earn 1-1 draw

Box Hill United visited David Barro Stadium at Bulleen’s Veneto Club for a hard-fought Round 8 NPL clash with Boroondara Eagles.

Pythagoras were on a high after a strong 3-0 win a week earlier against Heidelberg United, while Boroondara – who had played an entertaining 4-4 draw with the Warriors already this season – were out to avenge for their narrow 1-0 loss to South Melbourne.

It had all the makings for a classic contest between two sides looking to apply a free-flowing game style.

However, Box Hill were dealt an early blow inside the first couple of minutes, as Gabrielle Hollar was found with a precise cross to head in the opener for the hosts.

It may have been a frustrating one to concede for Pythagoras, but the character in the squad ensured that no heads would drop and were ready to go again.

Natasha Stathopoulos had other ideas for Boroondara, as perfect positioning helped to make a point-blank save at a time where the hosts looked to sustain their momentum.

Despite the pressure, Pythagoras held firm and that was rewarded with a well-taken equaliser.

A lovely through ball found Asuka Doi in-between two defenders and she showed tremendous composure to go round a charging Mia Mossman and place the ball into the empty net.

Doi, who netted a brace against Heidelberg, continued her goalscoring run and proved to be the most ominous Pythagoras attacker up front.

Celebrations for Asuka Doi’s goal.

In a similar theme to the opening stanza, Boroondara surged towards the conclusion of the first half, cannoning a shot off the crossbar and producing a great near post save from Stathopoulos to keep the 1-1 score line intact.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first, however it was Pythagoras’ turn to create a golden opportunity. Nikolina Bucalo put a tantalising ball into the box that caused all sorts of chaos, as Doi got a boot to it and a clearance on the far post stopped Pythagoras from going ahead.

Doi was involved yet again later on in the half, as a half-volley attempt nearly caught Mossman off guard , but got down low to make the save.

In a match that had many ‘nearly’ moments for both sides and the shot statistics very even, a 1-1 draw is the best summation of a captivating 90 minutes.

Match details:

Boroondara Eagles 1 (Hollar 2′) – Box Hill United 1 (Doi 22′)

Images credit: HD Creative