Super League: Weekend 2 Results
April 26, 2010
Game 3: PINK vs BABY BLUE (2-1)
Mother nature was working against both teams Friday night in the rain as Nick Sandhu’s Pink team faced off with the Baby blue team, led by national team coach, Louis Mendonca. Good distribution out of the backfield by Christine De Pape and Amanda Bird allowed the baby blue team to own most of the possession in the first half. Throughout the half, blue continued to dominate the game though both goal keepers in opposite ends, Kaitlyn Williams and Bea Francisco, were hardly tested. Towards the end of the second half the Pink team earned an opportunity to go ahead with the first penalty corner of the game. With an accurate pull out Kate Gillis to stick stopper Anna Kozniuk, Diana Roemer was able to perfectly execute a drag flick stick side high. Despite the blue team having most of the possession, pink went into the second half up 1-0.
The second half saw the blue team regrouping with even better distribution and control out of the backfield and through the midfield. Play resumed mostly between the 25’s with the blue team testing goal keeper, Jen Bowlsby, on a few penalty corners and free play opportunities. Pink was, however, able to go ahead by two on another penalty corner that resulted in a bit of a scramble. Bea Francisco made the first save on another drag flick by Diana Roemer but the rebound was left for Kate Gillis to put in. The blue team was able to get on the score board late in the second half on another penalty corner that was put it after a rebound on a well struck ball by Steph Jameson. With Bowlsby making 2 consecutive saves, the third shot was finally put past her by Deb Cuthbert. The game resulted in the Pink team taking the win 2-1 with all goals being scored on penalty corners.
Game 4: NAVY vs RED (4-1)
An early Saturday morning start showed both teams a little slow to get going but Aaron Guest’s Red team looked ready to turn that around against coach Graham Wood’s Navy team. Great strength in the back field by Lucy Shaw and Sarah Macaulay allowed the red team to own the field for the beginning of the game. As the Navy team began to get more comfortable with their new system on the field, they were able to start their attack and earn the a few penalty corners. Poonam Sandhu was able to put Navy up 1-0 after she put in a rebound past goal keeper, Lisa Dawn, after a penalty corner. Play moved back and forth but before the half time whistle, confusion in the Navy midfield allowed Robyn Pendleton to find Giovanna Brownlee speeding down the right side. With some good strength Brownlee was able to send the ball across the net for Megan Scraper to touch past goal keeper Amanda Stone. Tied at the half, both teams were looking to come out recharged.
Navy began to take a bit of control of the game with Sam Smith really taking command on distribution and making some great tackles and step ups. The go ahead goal came after a series of penalty corner when a great strike by Smith was deflected in off the goal keeper to make the game 2-1. The red team was able to pour on pressure down the left side by Robyn Pendleton as well as through the middle by Tyla Flexman but Amanda Stone kept the score line as is. The navy team was soon able to capitalize on their few chances in the other end with two free play opportunities. Some good midfield transfers and speed up the outsides allowed Poonam Sandhu to score one goal in tight on a great strike as well as another one cleanly placed in the corner on her back hand. Up 4-1 and Sandhu with the hat-trick, the Navy team was able to hold their win despite a series of great attacking runs late in the half by the red team.
With each team in the Super league having one win and one loss, the series looks to only get more competitive with one more game before the finals. Look for more photo, video and news updates on both the field hockey canada website and the field 4 dreams site (www.field4dreams.ca).
