Shoalhaven faced off against UOW at Ian McLennan Park in hopes to avenge the 5-1 loss they suffered earlier in the season.
A free kick from the edge of the penalty area taken by UOW captain Rhianna Brown was the first chance of the match, just six minutes in. She struck the ball across the face, as Shoalhaven goalkeeper Jillian Scott tapped it past the post for a corner.
In the 16th minute, Kaitlyn Sennitt broke through the UOW backline and, once in the penalty area, hit the ball over the bar. Both Shayne Meehan and Sami Wilkie were unmarked as a major attacking opportunity for Shoalhaven was wasted.
A dominant display from Shoalhaven kept the UOW backline on their toes throughout the first half as they dealt with the constant attacks comfortably until the 42nd minute.
Meehan played a through ball to the right side of the penalty area, where Wilkie met the ball. She took a shot across the goal, but UOW goalkeeper Emma Carstens was there to force the ball back infield before being cleared.
In the closing seconds of the half, a major attack for Shoalhaven fell apart when Lauren Gilbert took a heavy touch and the ball rolled out for a goal kick after what should have been a one-on-one opportunity for the side.
UOW needed a change if they wanted to walk away from this game with the three points, as a dominant Shoalhaven side looked too much for them to handle going into the break.
Shoalhaven came out of the break firing as they took the lead just seven minutes into the 2nd half. Wilkie squared the ball across the face of the goal and under Carstens where it met Meehan, who slid and finished the ball into the back of the net.
UOW was slow to react. Shortly after scoring Meehan was through on goal for a one-on-one running onto the ball from the halfway line to the goal. Carstens remained planted and composed as Meehan tried to roll the ball past her before a save with the left foot kept UOW in the match.
With the wake-up call for UOW it was not long before the roles reversed, and they were on the attack. Jasmine Trajceski squared the ball from the left into the penalty area for Timia Osman who blazed the ball over the bar, wasting a great chance.
Gaining some momentum in the 62nd minute, UOW had a corner which resulted in a scuffle in the box as it fell to Brown, who rolled the ball across goal and just wide of the open bottom left corner.
After minutes of back-and-forth football and a lack of any solid chances between both teams, UOW were not done yet as Lexi Carter flicked the ball into the path of Sophie Boyd, who forced a great save from Scott, saving the game for Shoalhaven.
The win propels Shoalhaven to fourth, leaping past University.
After the 1-0 victory, Shoalhaven will travel to JJ Kelly to face Coniston next Sunday, while UOW has a week off with a bye.
Report by Jack Naumovski
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