Hockey Squad Defeated By Eastern University
The Bermuda National Hockey Training Squad took on Eastern University in action on Friday, January 10, with the Training Squad coming up short on the scoreboard, but playing an impressive game.
The National Training squad was put under pressure at the start of the game by a fit and well-trained Eastern University squad. The first five minutes belonged to the University as the mixed Bermuda team struggled to find rhythm in their possession game.
In the sixth minute, good individual work by impressive young centre forward Maya Palacio earned Bermuda a penalty corner which was shot wide of the goal; however, only three minutes later, Keishae Robinson buried Bermuda’s second penalty corner into the net with a fierce drive to move them up 1-0.
Eastern University came back strongly and was awarded a penalty corner in the 11th minute which was sent wide of the goal. In the 19th minute, Eastern University player Jessica Jaindl scored a well-crafted goal after receiving a pass from Abby Wagner near the penalty spot; the shot went between a defender’s legs in front of the goal, tying the score at one goal apiece.
Eastern University went on to take the lead shortly after with another field goal ten minutes later, resulting from a breakdown in the circle which deflected off of a defender and dropped to Danielle Frasca on the back post, who slipped it in and put Eastern University in the lead for the first time.
With a much changed line-up introducing several Under 17 players, Bermuda had a nervous next 30 minutes as Eastern University dominated much of the play. Wagner played the ball from outside into the circle to find Frasca, who scored a field goal in the 35th minute.
In the 42nd minute, Megan Bolton, from a penalty corner, scored to increase their lead to 4-1.
The last period of 30 minutes saw a much improved National Training squad as they started the period in command and earned penalty corners in the 63rd, 68th and 73rd minutes. Bermuda’s Georgia Harris stopped the ball at the top of the circle and Robinson scored another blistering strike in the 63rd minute.
As time ran down, Bermuda removed their keeper in order to play with 11 field players and introduce more attack but unfortunately gave up an open net field goal in the 86th minute from a Wagner cross to Lauren Gay to end the game at 5-2 for Eastern University.
Outstanding for Bermuda over all of the game’s 90 minutes were Robinson and Amy Fox, who both worked tirelessly in the heart of the Bermuda defence.
The Bermuda Squad players included Vickie Johnson, Lakae Tavares, Marcia Ford, Keishae Robinson, Melanie Fullerton, Amy Fox, Francesca Cacace, Zuri Philip, Ryce Trott, Yvonna Osborne, Ana Abend, Azari Thomas, Erica Parsons, Maya Palacio, Tse Smith, Georgia Harris, Emma Norman, Tiana Correia, Pier Simons, and Maha Clarke.
The Eastern University Squad players included Alyssa Baughman, Kaycie Andrew, Kelsie Andrews, Hannah Bartholomew, Megan Bolton, Kelby Bolton, Kalyn Detweiler, Danielle Frasca, Lauren Gay, Jessica Jaindl, Jessica Kinzler, Rachelle Lehman, Jen McKelvie, Jennifer Oneill, Abby Wagner, Sarah Webb, and Hayley Williams.
