A long range strike in the dying stages has clinched a last minute win for Canberra United Academy to push them into the top four.
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Academy were tied 2-2 with West Canberra Wanderers FC until moments before stoppage time, when Latisha Babic fired off the match winner to make it 3-2.
United's Eliza-Jane Norris opened the scoring and claimed her first goal of the season. After beating her defender down the left-hand side and firing a shot from point-blank range to send the Academy 1-0 up.
Before the visitors responded off a set piece. Tara Cannon sent in a swinging ball to the back post for Columbian import Sofia Chaverra to get on the end of to find the equaliser 20 minutes later.
Wanderers coach Rey Castro said it was disappointing for his side to come away with a loss after their efforts.
"The feeling is not the best, especially in the way that we set up the game. We went through the checklist of things that we were meant to do and we actually did them," he said.
"This team hasn't had the same lineup for a while and three coaches in one season is really hard. So I actually think they adapt quickly, but there are things that we need to work on."
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A delayed offside call allowed the Academy to find the back of the net, before the goal was disallowed. It changed the dynamic and allowed Wanderers to pounce on a defensive error to take a 2-1 lead.
Chaverra was played in behind the United defence, by what appeared to be an under hit back-pass, and she made no mistake one-on-one with Chloe Lincoln to secure her brace in the 64th.
Academy responded with an equaliser through Sofia Christopherson, who made a diagonal run behind the defence, and was played in by Meg Roden, drilling the ball low to make it 2-2.
Moments before stoppage time, United midfielder Babic fired off a long range effort to secure the home side a 3-2 win.
Babic received the ball about 25 metres out from the goal line, taking a few touches before firing it top left. The ball took a deflection off the backside of the cross bar, before the assistant referee confirmed it had crossed the line.
United's Sasha Grove said Babic's goal was special, as it was a reward for her hard work all year to break into the first grade side.
"We were looking a little bit rough, but we were able to pull through and I'm just really happy to see that result. Especially heading into the last rounds, we need to be pulling the points now, so it's really important," she said.
"Obviously it'd be ideal to win all of our matches. So that winning mentality ... we want to be pulling in all the points moving forward but performances like that, giving every team a bit of a run for their money, that's what we'd be happy with."
AT A GLANCE
NPLW round 17 results:
- Belconnen United FC defeated Canberra Olympic FC 6-0
- Gungahlin United FC defeated Wagga City Wanderers FC 6-0
- Canberra Croatia FC defeated Tuggeranong United FC 6-0