SOCCER

LVSL

By TOM HAYES

 

RESULTS from Round 3 of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League changed the order at the top of the table, as a new leader emerged.

Some teams in the senior competition got their season underway with their first win at the weekend, while others continue to find their feet in 2025.

 

Senior Men’s

Olympians 3 def Sale 1

OLYMPIANS made the move to the top of the LVSL, following a 3-1 away win over Sale United on Saturday night.

The two sides were locked at one goal apiece throughout the first half, which made sure both sides would be vying for victory in the second half.

Two second half goals to the visitors was enough to give them the three points, sending them to the top of the senior competition.

Moni Eliaser scored twice for Olympians, while Jordan Martin was the other scorer for the victors.

 

Moe 4 def Newborough-Yallourn 1

MOE United got their season on the board with their first win of the year against Newborough-Yallourn United.

The game was all Moe as the home side went 2-nil up on their home turf in the first half.

Needing to finish the game strong, Moe doubled its tally in the second half. On the scoreboard was Riley Winkelman (two goals), Luke Bathgate, and Connor Dastey.

The hosts would have kept a clean sheet too if it wasn’t for an unfortunate own goal from Peter Albanese, claiming the three points nonetheless in a 4-1 win.

 

Churchill 5 def Traralgon City 2

CHURCHILL United also claimed their first three points, coming in a goal-fest against bottom side Traralgon City.

Traralgon City have found it difficult back in the league’s top flight, but put Churchill to the test at the weekend, scoring their first goals of the season.

Despite their efforts, Churchill was the stronger of the two. The home side took a 3-nil lead into the break following a dominant first half performance.

A further four goals were witnessed in the second half, with two going either way, allowing Churchill to gain three points from the 5-2 result.

 

Falcons 1 drew with Monash 1

IN what could only be described as a taxing affair, an eventful Saturday evening fixture ensued in Morwell that ultimately ended in a stalemate between Falcons and Monash.

The reigning league champions, on their home turf, went into the game as slight favourites against a Monash side who had recruited well over the summer. Adding to their additions is the fact they have often had the wood over their more fancied opponents, with last year’s corresponding fixture ending in a dramatic 2-all draw.

The Wolves came out all guns blazing in the opening stanza, and were the better of the two sides up to halftime. Both teams each had one guilt-edged opportunity to take the lead.

The second half was full of drama which, for the neutral, made for great viewing. It seemed Falcons were a different side in the second half and started to gain a slight upper hand, however they would soon be left a man down to no fault but their own.

In the 55th minute, Monash talisman Ethan Lawrence was seen verbally remonstrating with Falcons midfielder Gabrielle Bocchichio as he lay on the ground, seemingly injured. Veteran Falcons defender Joe Auciello decided to take matters into his own hands and knocked over Lawrence in defence of his teammate and the referee duly sent him off which left the home side now facing more than half-an-hour with one man less.

Pointed out by Monash coach Callum Polo after the game, Falcons just don’t know when to give up.

In the 70th minute, the home side’s chances became all the more slimmer as their goalkeeper Mason Loprese could only parry a stinging shot from outside the box into the path of an oncoming Monash player who tapped in from close range.

The away side at this point seemingly had the three points wrapped up. However, with the bit between their teeth, Falcons started to work their way back into the contest and sure enough, with 10 minutes left, Tommy D’Alia found himself through on goal and he expertly slipped the ball into the net to send the home crowd into raptures.

With only minutes remaining, the one-man advantage allowed Monash to push for a winner, but try as they might, the home side simply found another gear to what is sure to be seen as one point gained given the events prior.

 

EAST Gippsland United had the bye.

 

Senior Women’s

IN the LVSL’s senior women’s competition, Moe returned to the top of the table after a 6-nil thrashing of Newborough-Yallourn.

Miley Cooper scored a hat-trick for the home side, while Hannah Meyer and Rebecca Van Der Koogh also scored. NYU’s Shayla Vella scored an own goal to add salt into the wound.

Sale United also moved back into second with an 8-nil win over bottom side Olympians.

Churchill United was the third team to pick up its second win of the season, doing so in a 4-2 win over Traralgon City.

A nil-all draw between Falcons and Monash rounded out the results, as the two became the first sides to draw in the competition this season.

Tyers had the bye.