A last minute equaliser from Aliesha Newman rescued a point for WPL leaders Boroondara Eagles to break the hearts of Casey Comets on Sunday night.
Seconds away from their first win of the season, Newman’s speculative 40-yard lob caught Casey keeper Alyse Brusamarello off her line, cancelling out Mykaylin Rosenquist’s strike.
It was cruel on the Comets, but on the balance of play, the equaliser was a fair reward for the number of the chances that Boroondara created throughout the match.
It was a fairly dour opening to the cold and wet game at the Knox Regional Football Centre, with Casey struggling to get the ball out their defensive third.
Despite enjoying the bulk of possession, the hosts weren’t playing with their customary swagger, struggling to pierce the well-organised Comets defence.
Taryne Boudreau was lively throughout up front for Boroondara, linking well with Kayla Michaels.
When the Eagles got through, the league’s top goalscorers’ finishing was uncharacteristically off target.
After setting up a good chance for Michaels that went begging, Boudreau put a close range effort into the side netting on the eve of half time.
The game opened up after the break, as the hosts found some vigour going into attack while Casey managed to control possession a little better, giving their defence some respite.
As the half wore on, the Eagles still lacked any major threat going forward, giving some confidence to the Comets.
Boroondara rang through the substitutions trying inject some much needed urgency into their attacking play, however an unlikely upset did not seemed so farfetched.
The Comets grew increasingly able to put some sustained pressure on the more fancied opponents, enjoying more possession in Eagles half.
That pressure was deservedly rewarded, after an earlier tame effort, Rosenquist hit a fine shot from the edge of the box past Anna Lanning on 80 minutes.
With not long to go, Casey inevitably went into the defensive mode that had successfully served them well for most of the game.
However, they would have no answer for Newman’s last ditch cross turn lob over a backtracking keeper with the last kick of the match.
***
Boroondara Eagles 1 (Newman 90’) drew with Casey Comets 1 (Rosenquist 80’) at Knox Regional Football Centre [HT: 0-0]
Boroondara Eagles: 1. Anna Lanning, 11. Aliesha Newman, 5. Sky Jensen, 55. Jess Tay, 22. Olivia Ellis, 6. Ash Callaghan (17. Emma Hubbard 58’), 31. Rani Cavaretta (28. Bindi Bryce 80’), 15. Amy Jackson, 7. Taryne Boudreau, 2. Sarah Jacobs (9. Alexandra Gummer 70’), 51. Kayla Michaels (8. Ellen Turner 65’ (10. Emma Gross 75’))
Unused substitute(s): 28 Bindi Bryce.
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Casey Comets: 1. Alyse Brusamarello (GK), 9 Chelsie Selleck, 6. Raelynn Mikell,15. Rachel Binning, 14. Anouk Meereboer, 12. Harriet Cordner, 2. Antonia Niteros (7. Sheridan Dudley 90’), 3. Laura Croft (C), 8. Shaunna Murray, 11. Sharnoah Hurley, 16. Mykaylin Rosenquist
Unused Substitute(s): 10. Amy Radford, 5. Melissa Kirby, 30. Amah Fazlic, 31. Marina Markis
Yellow Card(s): Cordner 31’, Murray 82’
Red Card(s): Nil