Macarthur Rams did all they could for 90 minutes, but just could not stop UNSW from snatching a 1-0 win at Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Rams made UNSW work for the three points in the NPLW round 23 clash.
A first half header by Ava Collins helped the students get top marks – and the three points – in this one.
With Bulls FC Academy dropping points (see below), UNSW made the most of the opportunity, cutting the gap at the top of the table to just two points with three matches remaining.
UNSW started brightly and created the first opportunity of the contest.
Abbey Lemon produced a neat cut-back for Demi Koulizakis, who appeared destined to score with a first-time effort, only for Macarthur goalkeeper Sofia Fante to produce an excellent reaction save.
Lemon then tried her luck from distance, attempting to catch Fante by surprise, but the Rams goalkeeper was again up to the task.
UNSW’s left winger continued to cause problems, producing another low volley following a swift team move, with Fante getting down well to make another save.
However, from the resulting corner, UNSW finally found the breakthrough.
Lexie Moreno delivered an inch-perfect ball towards the near post, where Collins reacted first and produced a clever flicked header over Fante and into the back of the net.
It was a deserved lead for UNSW, who had dominated the opening 25 minutes.
Macarthur struggled to find their rhythm during the first half and were forced to wait until just before the break for their first real opportunity, with Claire Corbett causing problems down the left before UNSW eventually cleared their lines.
The visitors started the second half on the front foot once again.
This time Collins turned provider, delivering a cross for Chloe Smith, who forced Fante into another outstanding save from point-blank range.
Despite the Rams looking much more dangerous after the break, UNSW continued to threaten on the counter.
Collins was released one-on-one and rounded the advancing Fante before shooting towards goal, only for Megan Mifsud to produce a superb goal-saving block by putting her body on the line.
Collins was involved again moments later, first breaking into the box before choosing to cut the ball back rather than shoot, allowing the Rams defence to recover.
She then narrowly failed to connect with another excellent cross from Moreno.
With 20 minutes remaining, Angelique Hristodoulou delivered from the right, finding Collins at the far post.
The striker rose well but could only head into the side netting.
Demi Koulizakis then produced another dangerous cross, this time from the left, again finding Collins, whose header drifted inches wide of the far post.
With UNSW unable to find a second goal, Macarthur began to sense an opportunity to punish their missed chances.
Keira Bobbin broke through and had the chance to create a promising attack, but she opted to shoot rather than play in the overlapping Gabrielle Sarkis, allowing UNSW to clear the danger.
The Rams came agonisingly close to an equaliser with five minutes remaining.
Substitute Tea Mucenski produced some excellent work down the right before clipping a cross into the penalty area for Sarkis, whose first-time volley narrowly missed Erin Nayler’s goal.
As the match edged towards full-time, Aya Yamahata almost doubled UNSW’s advantage, but Mifsud was again in the right place to produce another important block.
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Bulls FC Academy entered the weekend determined to solidify their run towards the NPLW premiership, while Sydney University arrived at Northbridge Oval eager to disrupt the home side’s momentum.
After the two sides went into half-time locked at 0-0, Sydney Uni broke the deadlock through a brilliant corner routine, with Sarah Farrow rifling the ball home from close range.
The Bulls responded in the 64th minute when Sarah Hunter produced a sumptuous strike from range, curling the ball into the top-left corner to make it 1-1.
The match ultimately finished level, ensuring the premiership race remains highly competitive.
