The Illawarra Stingrays surrendered a two goal half time lead to fall to a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Football NSW Institute at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday.
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The Rays appeared on track to claim their first win of the season after goals from Blaize Kendis and Michelle Carney in the opening stanza.
But the Institute would stage a dramatic fight-back after the break.
Courtney Nevin’s thunderbolt into the top corner cut the deficit to one just five minutes into the second half before they turned the match on its head in the final 10 minutes. They equalised through Rachel Lowe with seven minutes remaining, but the biggest blow was still to come.
Princess Ibini-Isei unleashed a stunning effort just three minutes later to swing the ledger in the host’s favour.
It proved to be a crushing blow for Illawarra, who have now started with back-to-back losses.
Stingrays coach Brett Wallin felt his squad should have got more from the match.
“We just didn’t execute when we should have and we probably should have been further ahead than we were,” he said.
“We definitely had the better of the first half and were dominating in the second despite not scoring.
“We did miss two one on one opportunities and a couple of other chances as well, but their goalkeeper [Jada Mathyssen-Whyman] was outstanding too.
“She is the best goalkeeper I have seen.
“Overall it was a very high quality game.”
Football NSW Institute (second) are now one of three teams unbeaten through the first two rounds while Illawarra are win-less in ninth. The Stingrays don’t play over Easter weekend but return to action in a fortnight against Manly United.