In a thrilling encounter at Van Donge & De Roo Stadion, Utrecht W overcame Excelsior W with a decisive 4-2 victory on November 2, 2025. This match marked an important moment for both teams in the Eredivisie Women as they navigated their respective struggles and aspirations.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Utrecht came prepared to seize the day. The visitors struck first when Sophie van der Meer found the back of the net in the 15th minute, giving Utrecht an early lead. Excelsior, desperate for points after four consecutive losses, responded with determination. They equalized just before halftime through Lotte de Vries, who capitalized on a defensive error to slot home her team's first goal in what felt like ages.
However, Utrecht's resolve shone through in the second half. Just minutes after the restart, Jade van Dijk restored their advantage with a well-placed shot from outside the box that left Excelsior's goalkeeper grasping at air. The visitors continued to press forward and extended their lead to 3-1 when Mara Jansen scored from close range following a corner kick in the 65th minute.
Excelsior showed signs of life again as they clawed back into contention with another goal from Lotte de Vries in the 75th minute. Her quick thinking and sharp instincts allowed her to finish off a counterattack that caught Utrecht off guard. With the score now at 3-2, hope flickered for Excelsior fans who had endured so much disappointment this season.
But any thoughts of a dramatic comeback were quickly extinguished by Utrecht's relentless attack. In the dying moments of the match, Anouk de Groot sealed their victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time, ensuring that Utrecht would leave with all three points and solidify their position in mid-table.
This result leaves Excelsior W languishing in ninth place with just three points from five matches-a stark contrast to their ambitions at the start of the season. Their inability to convert chances into goals has become increasingly concerning as they search for answers amid mounting pressure.
For Utrecht W, this win is a significant boost as they climb to seventh place with seven points from five games. After struggling recently with draws and narrow losses, today's performance showcased their potential and resilience-qualities they will need to build upon as they look ahead to facing AZ next week.
Reflecting on my earlier predictions about this matchup-where I leaned toward Utrecht claiming victory-I must admit I got it right this time around! However, I certainly did not foresee such an entertaining contest filled with twists and turns.
As both teams prepare for their upcoming fixtures-Excelsior against NAC Breda and Utrecht hosting AZ-the stakes remain high. For Excelsior, every point is crucial if they hope to escape their current slump; meanwhile, Utrecht will aim to maintain momentum and push further up the table. In football, fortunes can change swiftly; today's triumph could be tomorrow's foundation for success or struggle depending on how each team responds moving forward.