University A claimed the honours again in the women's premier
competition with a 3-2 win over Momona A.
The final finished in a 1-1 draw after normal time and went
to the new shootout to get a result. This is a replacement
for the stroke-off being trialled internationally, where a
forward runs at the goalkeeper with six seconds to score.
University handled it better, winning it 2-1. Charlotte
Henley and Jenny Storey netted for University, and Samara
Dalziel scored for Momona A.
Varsity looked dominant in the first 15 minutes with some
sharp passing patterns down the left and entering the
attacking circle.
Momona quickly regrouped into its structured and organised
defence. It won a penalty corner, but bungled it.
Varsity continued to look dangerous but Momona's speed
through the middle shut down the stylish passing moves of the
students.
The game's intensity dropped off a little as neither team
could progress enough to put pressure on at the business end.
The beautiful work of Henley led to a penalty corner right on
halftime but again it was poorly taken.
Momona won two penalty corners early in the second half, and
finally produced the first goal of the match.
Varsity was shocked into action but failed to succeed from
two penalty corners.
Just when it looked like it was game over, Varsity sent the
ball left. From a saved shot, Jaime Wiles grabbed the rebound
and smashed it into the goal.
Both teams tried desperately to clinch another goal but time
ran out and it had to go to the shootout.
• The New Zealand women's team's chances of a clean sweep in
its five-test series with the US evaporated yesterday when it
was upset 5-3 in the fourth game in San Diego, APNZ reports.
The Black Sticks had comfortably won the first three games.
- Shirley Gillett
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