Weekend Hockey League Report
[Weekend hockey report from March 11 -13, 2011, written by Kaywell Outerbridge]
Women’s B League
Longtail Canaries B vs Ravens B
Final score: 1 -3
Under the lights and drizzling rain the Ravens took on the Longtail Canaries with both sides fielding mostly juniors on their teams. Ravens started out brightly and put pressure on the Longtail Canaries’ defense from the very start and were awarded for their efforts in the 4th minute. It came from a break away which saw Tracy Stewart receive and dribble the ball into the circle with plenty of support from the rest of the forward line and place the ball into the back of the goal to give Ravens the 1 – 0 lead.
Ravens continued their attack and although the Longtails had some possession, the defense of Ravens were able to stop their attack. Ravens got their 2nd goal in the 9th minute with a well worked goal starting from the defense who passed the ball to Isabelle Boonstra who then passed it to Georgia Harris. She dribbled it past the Longtail defense and entered the ‘D’ and slipped the ball left into the path of Carolyn Soares who placed the ball first time past the stand in ‘keeper’ Jokiah Richardson. Ravens got their 3rd goal from a penalty corner in the 19th minute thanks to Carolyn Soares who slipped the ball past the ‘keeper’ to score her 2nd of the night. Longtails managed to get a goal back in the 28th minute to make the score 3 – 1.
The 2nd half saw Ravens continue in their attack, but they were unable to convert any more goals thanks to a few saves by their ‘keeper’ Richardson. Longtails did have a couple of breakaways themselves, but they were unable to score again thanks to some good defending by the defense, in particular Susan Ward and the game finished 3-1 to Ravens.
Longtail Canaries B vs Canaries B
Final score: 2 – 1
Canaries’ Maria Burley opened the score in the minute 24th with a field goal. Longtail Canaries’ Maya Palacio equalized in the 37th minute of the second half from a dribble down the field beating Canaries’ defenders to execute a beautiful field goal in front of a large crowd at the concourse. Palacio would later score her second goal in the 45th minute for Longtail Canaries to defeat the Canaries 2 – 1.
Women’s A League
Budgies A vs Swifts A
Final score: 0 – 0
Budgies dominated possession in the first 30 minutes gaining, and not converting 8 penalty corners. Swifts finally gained two penalty corners at the end of the first half, and although Lorina Harvey did put the ball into the back of the net, it was ruled to be too high.
Budgies had a real chance to open the scoring when Keishae Robinson had a one on one with Swifts’ ‘keeper’ Cheresa LeMaire in the 41st minute, but shot wide. LeMaire had an outstanding game denying Budgies on numerous occasions. Swifts then had some good moments, but as the game neared the end, Budgies gained, but failed to convert 4 more penalty corners. Even with continued aggressive play by both sides, play ended in a scoreless draw.
Wildcats A vs Swallows A
Final score: 1 – 5
After two great shots into the ‘D’ by Swallows’ Jennifer Chisnall and some great action seconds into the first half, Swallows looked like they would score early. Swallows’ first goal came, however, in the 30th minute of the first half from a great pass by Lisa LeBlanc to find Joanna Heaney who would score a field goal and with 4 minutes to go in the half, LeBlanc’s great pass into the goal area allowed Amber Wilson to double the lead from a deflected ball high above the goalie into the back of the net. At the half Swallows went head 2 – 0.
LeBlanc continued to shine, not only by assisting with setting up goals, but with just 7 minutes into the second half would score a field goal after a cross by Jennifer Chisnall into the “D” and Swallows went up 3 – 0. Wildcats’ Ryce Trott scored from a penalty corner in the 49th minute from a deflection off the pads of Swallows’ ‘keeper’ Donna Nicholson and the score now was 3 – 1. With just 10 minutes to go in the match, Swallows’ young junior player Kayla Kellman scored a great slap shot from a ball fed in by Liz Hartley and now Swallows were up 4 – 1. After all her hard work and an outstanding game Swallows’ LeBlanc would score her second goal of the game in the 70th minute making it a decisive win of 5 – 1 for Swallows.
Solid and consistent play by all of Swallows’ mid-fielders and defense with special mention to Hannah Ellison and Gemma Rowe.
Swifts A vs Canaries A
Final score: 2 – 3
In Swifts second game of the day, Canaries got off to a flying start converting their first penalty corner by Joanne Wilson-Barrow after 5 minutes. Swifts replied with a penalty shot from Lorina Harvey in the 18th minute and the half ended 1 – 1.
A defensive error allowed Canaries to go ahead in the 58th minute from a field goal by Mary-Ellen Jackson, but Swifts’ Ryanne Bardgett tied up the score 4 minutes later from a field goal. Another error in the 64th minute by a tired Swifts defense saw Canaries’ Jackson score her second field goal and the score remained 3 – 2 for Canaries until the final whistle.
Men’s League
Chameleons vs Polecats
Final score: 4 – 2
This was the only Men’s match of the weekend. The Chameleons went into the game knowing that a victory would see them crowned champions for the first time in six seasons. As with every Polecats’ game this season the team knew that they were in for a hard fought and close game. In the early exchanges Chameleons came out on top and had several chances to score. Tim Goodyer finished off a good flowing move down the right to score in the 4th minute from a field goal. A similar attack saw Chameleons take a two goal lead in the 11th minute when Richard Cox scored a field goal from open play. Polecats showed their determination and immediately struck back with a well taken field goal in the 16th minute from Hannes Robbertze. Goodyer restored the two goal cushion to score his second field goal to give his team the lead of 3 – 1 before Polecats’ Donnie Simmons bought the game back to one goal from a penalty corner in the 24th minute and the first half ended 3 – 2.
In the first twenty minutes of the second half Chameleons created, but failed, to score from numerous chances, including a penalty stroke. An incredible display of team work from the defense and midfield limited Polecats to a few chances. Chameleons’ Ryan Piper, Stuart Mackellar and ‘keeper’ Adam Griffiths did a magnificent job at snuffing out chances and marshalling the team. The victory was sealed when Chameleons’ Paul Deans scored from a broken down penalty corner to make the final score 4 – 2.
A great way to round off a hard fought season. With one game left, Chameleons have won twelve games and lost only three, scoring 58 goals and conceding only 22.
