The Taieri Tigers kept their hopes of securing second spot in the premier women’s competition alive with a thrilling 4-3 win over Momona A, which went to a penalty shootout.
Momona was also vying for second spot, which gives teams another chance of making the final at season’s end should they lose their semifinal.
The game did not start well for the Tigers. With barely two minutes gone, Momona struck through a Bex Clemenston penalty corner.
Taieri began to settle into the game, gaining territory and possession, but Momona jumped to a 2-0 lead thanks to another penalty corner, this time to Gracie Ansell.
The Tigers started the second quarter well, and with their first real chance, Meila Eades produced a delicate touch past the Momona keeper to get Taieri’s first goal.
After defending at least three penalty corners, Taieri got the ball in the box and scored again, Louisa Collerton netting just her second for the season to lock the scores up at halftime.
The third quarter was a wrestle but neither team blinked, and it remained 2-2 heading into the final quarter.
It was the same in the fourth quarter as the seconds ticked away and the prospect of a penalty shootout became reality as regular time finished 2-2.
In the shootout, Momona started with a miss by Neve McLean, and Taieri converted its first attempt, by Eades.
Sophie White levelled for Momona but Chantelle Murrells missed for Taieri, leaving the teams with a shot each.
Tigers goalkeeper Lucy Girvan produced another save, and with ice in her veins, Ava Beens sealed the win and kept dreams of a second-placed finish alive for Taieri.
The University Huskies had a solid 3-0 over Kings United, meaning either the Huskies or Taieri will finish second. Lucy Simpson, Sara Cooper and Grace Godfrey scored for the Huskies.
City routed the Stingrays 14-0. Morgan Forrester scored a hat-trick, Bayley Anderson, Ella Lloyd, Sarah Thomas and Tegan Buchanan all had doubles, and Jordan Cunningham, Sophia Kersten and Billy Crowe scored.
Kings United men had a 4-1 win over newly crowned Challenge Shield holders the Uni Blue Whales. Daniel Torr scored a double and there were goals for Craig Turner and Charles Darling. Henry Will scored for the Blue Whales.
The Albany Alligators beat the Black Panthers 8-3. Albany’s Nick Parata scored four goals, Thomas French had a double and there were goals for Opeti Tuimana and Sam Young.
Sam Harrison-Baker, Tyler Williams and Josh Keenan scored for the Panthers.
- Jack Ward
