SU 1sts beat Esquires 3-2 on 2 JUly
SU 1sts went into the 3rd vs 4th match against long-time rivals Esquires missing 5 regular first graders. They included our top goal scorer, German international Silky, whose skills would be sorely missed against a team which has conceded only five goals in 11 matches, the lowest of any Premier 1 team. We were also missing heroic co-captain, Louie as well as our German rock and our two talented young strikers, Fi and Scriven. There was a silver lining, though: former Hockeyroo Bianca Netzler, who played a whopping 92 matches for Australia, has come out of retirement recently and made her debut for the Blue and Gold.
The task ahead of us was steep. Outright third on the table was up for grabs, and after an intense (and long) warm up we definitely hit the ground running and dominated the early parts of the match. Uni dominance continued throughout the first half but numerous short corners and shots missed, and at half time the nil all score line was probably flattering for Esquires. Thankfully, we maintained our focus and scored early in the second half. But after not conceding a single short in the first half, Esquires scored soon after our goal with a low flick from a short . It was 1-1 in a game Esquires shouldn't even be in. Game on! But then we conceded another short soon after and Esquires scored with another low flick to take the lead 2-1.
After dominating so much of possession and territory we were now trailing late into the match.
Thankfully the Arrows combination of Bianca and Hollie combined to give us a little bit more life for a late rally, and through some more hard work from our forwards we managed to pin the score back to 2-2 with under five minutes to play. A draw was not enough. We stepped up a gear and went all out for the win in the final minutes. Again who else would prove the difference, but Hollie received a ball deep in the pocket and worked a well earned short corner with a minute and half on the clock. A well rehearsed short corner, and Uni took what was a well deserved lead into the final minute of play. Again some cool, calm and collected heads at the back held possession and ensured a win. Final score 3-2. SU had overtaken Esquires to take 3rd place on the table.
Goals: Jess Blake, Maya, Cara
B&F: Hollie 3, Bianca 2, Jess Blake 1
LD
