Balcatta beat Azzurri to win New Balance NPL WA Women's Night Series

Balcatta Etna's outstanding recent cup record continued tonight with victory over Perth Azzurri in the final of the New Balance NPL WA Women's Night Series.

The only goal at Percy Doyle Reserve arrived two minutes after half-time. Frankie Murray slung over a cross which struck the crossbar before crossing the line, with Azzurri goalkeeper Dayle Schroeder unable to keep the ball out under pressure from Etna's Jaime Duncanson.

The best chance of the opening half fell to Duncanson after she was played in by Rachel Jarvis. On this occasion, Duncanson shot too close to Schroeder, who saved well.

Perth looked like they might find an equaliser right at the end when Jess Flannery put substitute Ailsa Zindell through, only for Monique D'Opera to make a brilliant covering tackle.

Azzurri stopper Schroeder claimed the Tracey Wheeler Medal as Player of the Match.

The 1-0 victory for Balcatta over Perth is a repeat of last year's Night Series result. Etna also won the 2025 Top Four Cup and finished runners-up in the State Cup final.

• Fremantle City beat Perth RedStar 2-0 in the Night Series Third-Place Play-Off.

UWA Nedlands and Academy open league season with draw

There was an entertaining start to the New Balance NPL WA Women's season as UWA Nedlands and Hyundai Football West Academy played out a 1-1 draw at Besteam Stadium.

Chloe Rodrigo scored the first goal of the campaign to give UWA the lead, with substitute Milla Butler earning the Academy a point.

The match was originally scheduled for Round Four but was brought forward because many of the Academy players will be on State Team duty at the Emerging Matildas Championships in April.