Uni led 3-1 at the half time break surviving a Michelle Carney led Stingrays comeback in the second stanza to escape with a 4-3 win.

Carney scored a double to take her total to eight for the campaign and Erica Halloway also got on the scoresheet for the hosts.

Coach Carmelina Moscato was disappointed not to get more from the match, but was rapt with her team’s performance.

"To be honest, we dominated the match," she said.

"We deserved a minimum of a point from the game.

"The team is attacking well. It's no surprise that we can score goals, we knew that at the start of the season.

"It is very exciting."

Moscato thought an early goal from University proved costly.

"We keep on conceding goals early on so found ourselves 1-0 down early on. Then we had to chase the game," she said.

"That's something we have to have a look at improving in the coming weeks.”

Despite the defeat Illawarra remain in the top four after six rounds.

University (16 points) lead the league, with the Stingrays four points back in fourth spot.

Illawarra face off against the second placed Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park next weekend.