Match: Womens 9th Grade

With many of the team feeling worse for wear after the wedding of one of our own, Hazz Watson, the night before, the team took the field with only 10 players as we waited for late arrivals. It was a tense first quarter with play dominating the midfield and constant turnovers by both teams. We were finally able to breakthrough, with Maribel Martin receiving an early pass into the circle and getting around the goalie with no defenders in sight. We went to the first break 1-0.

The second quarter really showed how dominant our team can be. Stringing successful passes and beating Hornsby to the ball, we were able to keep the game in our attacking half. It reflected on the scoreboard as well, with another 3 goals to the quarter, 2 to Maribel and a great one from Alicia Phillips who scooped up the ball after a goalie stumble and was able to convert. At half time we had a  4-0 lead.

The third quarter was incredibly jam packed and started with Hornsby applying early pressure and giving our defenders a bit of work. Despite the heavy attack, we were able to maintain control with amazing moves by Carmen Dinh which saw her literally run rings around Hornsby before moving the ball back up the field. In a matter of a few passes we had the ball at the edge of our circle and Alicia was able to feed it to Maribel who scored her 4th of the game.  Hornsby we’re able to reset and made quick work on the attack, pushing to their circle and having repeated attempts on goal. Some great defensive efforts held them back for a bit, but they were finally able to slip through and get one on the board.

We were able to quickly regain control however, getting the ball back into our circle, where a lot of confusion saw the goalie fall on the ball, play momentarily halted as nobody could see it and then a penalty stroke being issued to Sydney. Alicia stepped up to take the stroke and she was easily able to beat the goalie and score her second for the game. The quarter ended 6-1.

We continued to show how strong our midfield and attack can be in the fourth quarter, keeping the ball in our possession and directing play. Simone Young, in an amazing solo effort, was able to take the ball from the Hornsby end of the field right in our attacking circle where she set up a great goal which was deflected in by Maribel.  With the game winding down we keep the intensity on and continued to push in our circle, with a lot of very near shots on goal. Our last goal came in the dying minutes of the game where Dasol Han was able to play on advantage of a short corner being called and quickly score a goal (in her first game of hockey too!).

All in all it was a thrilling game for the girls and gave us the confidence to stay on form and keep doing what we do best.

By Maribel Martin.