Canberra United Academy 3 (Stephanie Coates OG 25’, Karly Roestbakken 49’, Hayley Taylor-Young 60’) def. Tuggeranong United FC 1 (Adriana Ilheo 19’)

By Mathew Stramandinoli

The Canberra United Academy bounced back from a round 1 loss with a dominant victory over Tuggeranong United FC on a chilly Sunday afternoon.

The Academy set the pace from the start with strong running and ball movement to put the pressure on Tuggeranong early in the match. A 13^th minute chance from Laura Hughes was the best of the bunch, as she struck the woodwork with a powerful shot from just inside the box.

Tuggeranong did well to absorb the early pressure and score against the run of play 19 minutes in. Adriana Ilheo raced onto a great through ball down the middle and placed her shot past Isobel Davy to put her side in front by a goal.

The Academy continued to pile on the pressure despite conceding, and Sarah Morgan came close to equalizing as she rifled an effort against the crossbar from the edge of the area after a lung-busting run.

The pressure soon paid off for the Academy though maybe not as they planned, with a good cross from the wing deflecting off Tuggeranong’s Steph Coates and past Cristina Esposito to level the scores after 25 minutes. Tuggeranong looked to respond and the game continued as an arm wrestle until half-time.

It was the hosts that came out of the sheds firing though, and Karly Roestbakken struck just four minutes in as she volleyed home Isabel Mulhall’s cross. The Academy continued to push, but Esposito was in sparkling form, denying Ryan Grogan’s side on multiple occasions in goal.

The result was sealed ten minutes from time as Hayley Taylor-Young raced away from the defence and finished cleanly, before Esposito pulled off an excellent double save to keep the margin at two goals at the final whistle.