Draw against Altach/Vorderland - Volkmer top scorer

At the end of the 2023/24 season in the Admiral Women's Bundesliga, the Violets drew 3-3 against SPG SCR Altach/FFC Vorderland, who ultimately finished third. Verena Volkmer, an own goal by the Vorarlberg side and Stefanie Schneeberger scored the goals for the Violets. Volkmer also crowned herself the league's top scorer with 14 goals.

'Never change a winning team' was the motto of head coach Stefan Kenesei on the final matchday. He sent out the same team that won 5-0 in Dornbirn last week. Before the game, midfielder Lea Mauly was officially given her farewell; the German will leave Austria after one year.

The game got off to a promising start: After just a few seconds, a cross into the box from Katharina Schiechtl found no takers (2'), and just a few moments later it was Alexandra Wölkart with the first shot from an acute angle (7'). And the Violets continued to press. Yvonne Weilharter narrowly missed from a Bruinenberg corner (14'), shortly afterwards Dominique Bruinenberg tried it herself, but her shot was too central (19').

Double strike within a few seconds

Then the knot seemed to have burst: A double strike within a few seconds gave Austria a 2-0 lead! First Verena Volkmer headed home her 14th goal of the season (23'), and less than a minute later Lisa Metzler deflected a cross from Stefanie Schneeberger into her own goal (24').

There had not been much to see from Altach up to that point, but they scored the equalizer with virtually their first chance. After a corner kick, the ball landed in Larissa Haidner's goal (31') and Julia Kofler scored to make it 2-1. Austria were not rattled and quickly restored their two-goal lead: Stefanie Schneeberger took heart and curled the ball beautifully into the corner from distance (38'). It was her first competitive goal for the Violets. Shortly before the break, Altach scored again, Sabrina Horvat scoring from the penalty spot (42').

Late equalizer in the last game

Austria continued to set the tone in the second half. Volkmer tried her luck with a shot from a turn - into the hands of the opposing goalkeeper (61'). After just over an hour, the game was over for Stefanie Schneeberger, who was replaced by Jacqueline Hajek (66').

The game became a little less intense, with both teams showing signs of their long season. A shot off the bar by substitute Maria Olsen in the 76th minute gave Austria a brief moment of trepidation, but five minutes before the end the Dane converted a free-kick directly (85'). The Vorarlberg side, who could have clinched second place with a win, now went for the win, but the Violets did not play for time and continued to march on. Alisa Ziletkina (90+2'), who had entered the game shortly beforehand, had the best opportunity in the final period, but the score remained 3-3.

In the end, neither team was really happy with the point, but the Violets were all the more pleased with captain Verena Volkmer, who was crowned top scorer in the Admiral Women's Bundesliga 2023/24 with 14 goals. Her goal was particularly important as Laura Krumböck scored twice for Sturm Graz on Sunday to finish the season with 13 goals.

Austria Vienna - SPG SCR Altach/FFC Vorderland 3-3 (3-2)

Austria: Haidner - Schöffel, Schiechtl, Weilharter, Wölkart - Triendl (81' Schorn), Mauly, Schneeberger (67.'Hajek), Satra - Bruinenberg (90' Ziletkina), Volkmer

Goals: Volkmer (23'), Metzler (24', own goal), Schneeberger (38'); Kofler (31'), Horvat (42', penalty), Olsen (85')

Yellow card: Hajek (85')

Referee Kurt Hertelt; Generali-Arena, 163 spectators