Round four of the Dunedin premier competition featured rematches of both the men’s and women’s finals from last year.
In the men’s competition, the Albany Alligators got the better of the Taieri Tuataras this time with a 2-1 shootout win.
In his 100th game for the club, Nick Parata had another captain’s performance, scoring twice in regulation and again in the shootout to help the Alligators topple the defending champions.
Tom French also scored for the Alligators to tie things up at 3-3 in regulation.
The Tuas shared the load with Jarrod Casey scoring from a penalty corner, while Zeke Buschl and Matthew West scored field goals.
The University Whales travelled to Oamaru to take on Tainui.
The Whales got into their work early and began to build a substantial lead. Tainui tried to fight its way back into the game but the 5-0 scoreline reflected the home side’s battle.
The Kings United men made light work of the University Panthers, punishing them 6-1.
Franco Laroche scored the Panthers’ only goal, while Kings shared the joy with Millar McElrea, Charles Darling, Craig Turner, Blake Hoskin, Nic Finlayson and Jack Hazlett all finding the back of the net.
The rematch of the women’s final between Momona and the City Highlanders was also a Challenge Shield clash.
Momona took the shield off City 11 months ago and was looking to defend it with everything it had but could not convert a penalty corner in the dying seconds, losing 3-2.
Momona scored first through Lucy Sawers after the Highlanders defence was caught off guard by a counter-attack.
The Highlanders fought their way back into the game, scoring the next three goals through Morgan Forrester, Chloe Donaldson and Madison Lobb.
Sarah Johnstone got another one back for Momona, making it 3-2 with less than five minutes to play.
Some precise play out of deep defence from Momona earned it one final opportunity with an attacking penalty corner. As the ball was cleared from the circle by the Highlanders, there were cheers from the sidelines.
The two University teams played each other earlier in the day, with the Huskies coming out on top with a 4-0 victory.
The Huskies scored off one penalty corner courtesy of Claudia Roberts, and Sophia Hardie, Ella Nesdale and Ella Rogers added to the goal tally.
The Taieri Tigers secured their first win of the season after their game against the Kings United women went to a shootout. Chloe Deerness scored for the Tigers in regulation, while Isobel Thompson converted a penalty corner for the Kings women to tie the score just before fulltime.
— Grace Milne
