Stingrays slump to third straight defeat after falling at home to Blacktown

A goal to Blacktown's Ashley Crofts just before half time proved the turning point, after Illawarra captain Michelle Carney opened the scoring in the 16^th minute from the penalty spot.

Blacktown took the lead through Tiarne Flavin shortly after the break, before the Stingrays again drew level through Carney. However, Maja Markovski and Hana Lowry both scored in the matter of minutes, before Markovski's late penalty rounded out the win.

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The result was Illawarra's third straight defeat, who are sorely missing Caitlin Cooper and Sheridan Gallagher.

"It was disappointing, you can't concede five goals and think you'd get much out of it. Why we weren't five or six up at half time was a mixture of poor finishing and a little bit of luck on their side," coach Bruce Tilt said. "But the Spartans came out strong in the second half and broke us down, and got their goals."

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