The Stingrays emerged from Belmore with a point in hand on Sunday night after playing out a hard-fought 1-1 stalemate with Sydney Olympic.
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Erica Halloway's successful header in the second half proved vital for Illawarra, after former Stingray, Figtree's Mackenzie Hawkesby gave Olympic a one-goal advantage at half time.
In a tough tussle, the Rays absorbed plenty of pressure early, with their opponents forcing several corners.
The ball continued to move from end to end before Olympic grabbed the lead with two minutes left until the break, with Hawkesby capitalising on a nice cross.
However, the Stingrays refused to give in and were rewarded in the 55th minute when defender Sheridan Gallagher put a great ball into the box, with Halloway's header finding the back of the net to draw level at 1-1.
In the dying minutes, Angelique Hristodoulou nearly broke the Stingrays' hearts, but her shot swung wide.
The score remained level by the full-time whistle.
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
