GIPPSLAND women took on the athletic and talented Box Hill on Saturday but went down 7-1 in a game that did not reflect the final score.
The Gippsland girls had many chances through Michelle DeBoer, Stephanie Tanti and Liz Heeger but were saved off the line by the experience of the Box Hill keeper.
Gippsland at times had most of the play when Box Hill midfielders Louisa Bisby (current Australian player), Anthea Vardakas and Daniela Digiammarco went into action, forcing corner kicks that resulted in header goals.
The girls never gave up and were eventually rewarded when Tanti took on two defenders and ran through the last two to power one home for Gippsland.
Best players were Laura Croft, Liz Heeger, Tanti and Jacqueline Vogt.
Gippsland, the youngest team in the Victorian Women's Premier League, has taken on the top teams in the last three weeks but has been overshadowed by physical presence and experience.
This week the ninth-placed Gippsland meets Casey Comets (seventh) at Cranbourne.
Reserves lost to Box Hill 0-4. Best players Renee Panayiotou, Kiara Hiriart, Vittoria Longo, Jessica Bathgate and Abigail Livingstone.
The previous week Gippsland women seniors lost 1-3 to Ashburton. Best players were Jacqueline Vogt, Nicole White, Mollie Emond and Steph Tanti.
Reserves lost 0-4 to Ashburton. Best players were Tara Snelling, Caitlin Hall, Carolyn Ostberg and Georgie VanderStaay.
In round six on 26 April, Gippsland beat Sandringham 2-1. Best were Cassie Powell, Stephanie Tanti, Kirsty Shearing and Mollie Emond.
Reserves lost 0-5 to Sandringham. Best players were Molly Ewen, Leah Simmons, Laura Croft and Sarah Briggs.