Round 2 of the 2025 Capital Football NPLW competition gave us our first look at Gungahlin United under coach Marcial Munoz, who has been with the club since 2017 but never at the helm of the top-flight women’s side until now. Their first assignment was away to reigning champions Canberra Olympic, who suffered defeat in Round 1 at the hands of the Blue Devils.
Other games from this round include:
ANU WFC vs Canberra Croatia (full stream)
Tuggeranong United vs Belconnen United (full stream)
Majura FC vs West Canberra Wanderers (full stream)
For an alternate review of the round, check out the Capital Football article from Sam Watson.
Recommended reading: Capital Football’s 2025 NPLW season preview
Match of the Round: Canberra Olympic vs Gungahlin United
Unlike the Round 1 clash we covered, two recognisable teams from 2024 lined up at O’Connor Oval. On paper, the Gunners were dealing with the most departures of the two from last season. Central defender Corinne Denton lined up against them in this game; veteran Erika Pennyfield had retired; Alex Nealand is interstate; and keeper Matilde Laurel-Tighe and attacker Alex Martens are now with the Blue Devils. Coming into the squad was one of the few true number 9s in the competition in Megan Castle (from Canberra Croatia), along with Tuggeranong keeper Emily Pearce and several promoted reserve grade winners from 2024 in Chelsea Hately, Ivy Stevens, and Bonnie Young.
While Olympic lost two highly experienced players in Michaela Thornton (Canberra Croatia) and Nicole Jalocha (coaching), their lineup for this game was somewhat dictated by enforced absences. Madison Cachia was recovering from a Round 1 knock; Victoria Jamieson hasn’t been available for either NPL game thus far; and Canberra United trio Tianah Miro, Janet King, and Jaya Bowman still have A-League Women commitments. Coming into the squad are versatile midfielder Alyse Jensen from Belconnen, returning attacker Olivia Gurney and defender Brittany Fiorese, and new signings Tatum Mazis (Canberra Croatia) and Tayla Hampson (Sydney Olympic and Canberra United Academy).
The opening 15 minutes were slightly in favour of the home side, with busy midfielder Tehya Aspland able to get a couple of left-footed shots off. The passing game of the visitors, however, became more confident as the half wore on. Centre-back Maddie Perceval was a commanding and calm presence at the back, playing through the midfield De Marco sisters, whose skills, control, and accurate passing game exemplify the Gungahlin way. Olympic’s Elke Aitolu provides similar comfort from the back as Perceval with her ball-playing ability and calmness.
In the 25th minute, Perceval strode forward and found Ginger Oliver on the left wing. Oliver’s early-centred delivery was pinpoint for Castle, who had just enough space for a cool bottom right corner finish.
In many ways, the game within the game – the battle between two excellent midfield trios – would prove to be telling to the outcome. On one hand, you have the experience of Jane Vanzino lined up with the energy of Jensen and Aspland, while on the other, the familiarity between Stella De Marco, Nat De Marco, and Olivia Buyteweg. For much of the first half, the possession stats were in favour of the visitors. The Olympic trio fancied their chances on goals, shooting from distance on several occasions. The Gunners’ trio was more interested in looking for wide attacking options, perhaps sensing an edge in speed in the form of willing runner Bonnie Young and wide defenders Hately and Stevens making their first tentative forays forward.
The teams entered the sheds with the Gunners one goal up. Olympic attackers Maddy Whittall, Ella-Rose Brown, and Tatum Mazis were finding it difficult to get into the game, and some tweaks to the Olympic game were expected in the second half.
Tia Burridge entered the game for Olympic at the start of the second half for Brown, while Gunners speedster Darby Whiteley came on for Oliver.
A Young dash down the right five minutes into the half ended with a ferocious shot on goal, parried away for a corner by Josipovic. The Gunners were again camped in the Olympic half, and when Castle’s through ball for Whiteley was denied only by the advancing Josipovic, coach Frank Cachia took a moment to make some changes. Nikita Perry, returning from an ACL injury, and Hampson came on, but the Gunners’ threat down both flanks was palpable in this period of the game.
It was Castle, however, who extended the lead in the 62nd minute. Seeing Pearce off her line, the chip was exquisite, and the visitors were up 2-0.
Momentum, possession, and field position began to shift back Olympic’s way with 20 minutes remaining as they threw bodies forward. A Hately challenge on Perry in the 75th minute led to a penalty, with Perry making no mistake.
Olympic tails were finally up, and it was the Gunners’ turn to struggle to contain their opponents. Pearce in goals held firm, dealing with shots from Whittall, Alexia Cerne, and Katrina Peric as the clock wound down. Pushing forward is not without consequences, though, and Whiteley was able to exploit the available space down the left flank in the 90th minute, crossing perfectly for the unattended Young in front of goal for a 3-1 lead.
With the talent available to him and with others to come back into the squad, Olympic coach Frank Cachia won’t be alarmed in these opening rounds. The younger squad members are gaining valuable minutes and gelling time, and they will grow into the season.
The talking point out of the game is the assured performance of Munoz’s promoted players, all of whom made valuable contributions, providing an extra edge to complement the aspects of the game that they are known for. It’s early days, but this was an impressive first-up showing for the Gungahlin team.
>>> Full match timeline and team line-ups can be found here <<<
Final score:
Canberra Olympic 1 (Nikita Perry 76′)
Gungahlin United 3 (Megan Castle 25′ 62′, Bonnie Young 90′)
Around The Grounds:
ANU WFC 0-4 Canberra Croatia
Tuggeranong United 0-11 Belconnen United
Majura FC 1-4 West Canberra Wanderers
Ladder:
Next round:
