Great Lakes Strikers women’s hockey team showed determination and true fighting spirit when they recorded a two all draw against competition leaders,Tigers.
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This was a major result when you consider Tigers are a strong nominated division three side and it was a great fightback by the local side as they were two nil down just after the half time break.
This was always going to be a tough game but Strikers showed they were capable of really putting it to them.
The strong defence of Strikers’ Sally Hunt, Anna Black and Cathy Groth set the example for the rest of the players as they continually broke down play with amazing cover defence and tackling.
Some excellent keeping in goals by Gloria Smith also kept Strikers in the game.
Michelle Merrick, Tracy Thompson and Michelle Linhart in the halves also proved to be vital links in both defence and attack thus enabling and providing the forwards opportunities in attack.
Tigers’ first goal was from a good shot from a penalty corner followed by their second 10 minutes into the second half from a narrow deflection into the net.
Strikers eventually were rewarded a penalty corner after some good lead up work by Sarah Linhart and Sami Annetts.
The direct shot by Anna resulted in Kelly O’Byrne picking up the rebound to slot home Strikers’ goal.
This seemed to lift the team and inspire then to be creative with more passing and utilizing each other in order to outmaneuver the Tigers’ defence. Strikers equalised when a great cross into the circle by Tracy found Anita Lauder who managed to just get her stick to it for a terrific deflection to take the game to two all.
With Tigers realizing the game was slipping from their grasp they also turned up the pressure but Strikers, equally determined managed, to hold them out.
It was a mighty team effort as Tigers had not been defeated and are clear leaders so a draw shows that Strikers are capable of making it to the top four.
Points went to Sally and Sarah three, Michelle M and Kelly two, Gloria one. The latest pointscore has Strikers in third position.
This came after the team recorded strong performances in the last three games, a narrow loss to Town 1-0, a 4-1 win over Wingham and a 4-0 win over Chatham. There are no games this weekend due to the under 15 girls’ State championships being held in Taree.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
