Words: Aaron Cooper

UQFC Women have recorded a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Gold Coast City Women to launch their season on a winning note.

In testing conditions at AJ Kelly Park, two goals in the space of six minutes in the second half secured the points for UQFC after trailing at the break.

UQFC had the better of the early chances but it was City who opened the scoring on the counter attack with Stephanie Foreman combining with Briellyn Bond who calmly converted into the bottom corner.

UQFC finished the first-half strongly as City goalkeeper Ellen Hepburn was required to palm away a driven strike from Lana Harch, before the crossbar came to the keeper's rescue moments later.

Mikaela DiSavia threatened regularly for UQFC in the opening half and the attacker played a strong role in her side's equaliser. Her close range shot brought about a great save from Hepburn but Teaghan Lynch flew through to slot home the follow-up.

DiSavia then completed a rapid turnaround 20 minutes from time with her first goal of the campaign, handing her side a 2-1 lead which they held until the final whistle.

UQFC now travel to Souths United in Round 2 while City face a tough task when they host big first-round winners The Gap.

Key Moments

6' - CHANCE FOR UQ - Mikaela DiSavia splits the defence with a well-timed run but fires a shot straight at Ellen Hepburn who saves comfortably

22' - GOAL FOR GCC - GCC break on the counter and Stephanie Foreman lays off to fellow attacker Briellyn Bond who breaks into the area and slots a shot into the bottom right corner.

27' - CHANCE FOR GCC - Foreman and Bond combine again as an unmarked Bond is set-up next to the penalty spot but her side-footed shot flies high.

37' - CHANCE FOR UQ - Lana Harch drives a shot towards from goal from the edge of the area that forces Hepburn into a strong save.

41' - CHANCE FOR UQ - Lorena Maggio plays an inch-perfect cutback to DiSavia whose side-foot effort hits the underside of the bar and rebounds back into play.

64' - GOAL FOR UQ - DiSavia breaks through behind the line and Hepburn does well to get down low and save the original shot but is beaten on the follow up by Teagan Lynch.

67' - CHANCE FOR UQ - A beautifully-placed through ball is latched onto as Lynch shows off her incredible ground speed but can't find a way past Hepburn.

70' - GOAL FOR UQ - Disavia gets a deserved goal, firing a powerful shot past Hepburn.

85' - CHANCE FOR GCC - Bond intercepts at the edge of the penalty area and fires a shot at goal that flies just over the crossbar. 

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland Women - Round 1
Sunday, 19 March
A.J. Kelly Park

University of Queensland FC Women 2 (Teagan LYNCH 64', Mikaela DISAVIA 70')
Gold Coast City FC Women 1 (Briellyn BOND 22')