A first half hat-trick from Meg McLaughlin set Tuggeranong United on the path to their first win of the season on Sunday, with their 4-2 triumph over Canberra FC sending them to the top of the league.
Both sides traded goals early with scores level at 2-2 after just 13 minutes of the game, but from there on Tuggeranong looked to control proceedings.
A penalty just before the half was dispatched by McLaughlin for her third goal, before Paula Van Dommelen struck not long after the interval to seal the final score.
Canberra FC 2 (Thornton 12′, Wright 36′) def. by Tuggeranong United Football Club 4 (McLaughlin 6′, 13′ , 45′, Van Dommelen 47′)
An early goal from Erika Pennyfield had Belconnen on the ropes after 10 minutes, however the reigning Premiers worked their way back into the game and took over from there.
Cara Cutaia’s goal just nine minutes into the second half levelled proceedings before Jessie Williams netted the winner with just eight minutes of regulation time remaining.
Gungahlin United Football Club 1 (Pennyfield 10′) def. by Belconnen United Blue Devils 2 (Cutaia 54′, Williams 82′)
Monaro Panthers claimed the honours in the battle of the new kids on the block, with a brace from Alicia Meuronen either side of half time helping Angelo Maralit’s side to a 2-0 win.
Three points and a clean sheet represents a perfect start for Monaro, while Rob Scott and Olympic will head back to the drawing board before they host the Canberra United Academy on Sunday.
Monaro Panthers FC 2 (Meuronen 29′, 72′) def. Canberra Olympic Football Club 0
The Canberra United Academy left it late on Sunday against Woden-Weston, as last year’s only winless side got off the mark in the perfect manner this season.
The younger Academy side’s fitness told out in the second half on a sunny afternoon at Hawker, with Isabella Barac’s 85th minute goal enough to separate the teams.
Woden-Weston had started strongly and had a goal ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time, but will take a number of positives into next weekend’s clash with Gungahlin United.
Canberra United Academy 1 (Barac 85′) def. Woden Weston FC 0