STRIKERS are through to the Lower South East Hockey Division 1 men’s final after an exciting penalty shoot-out win over rivals Tigers on Saturday at Blue Lake Sports Park.
With both sides playing with uncharacteristic caution it was an even contest in regular time.
Strikers got on the board first through a converted short corner to Dean McCarthy, after it took a deflection off a defender and wrong footed the keeper.
However, Tigers replied less than two minutes later from a penalty corner of their own, with a neat variation converted skilfully by Aaron Mengler.
Two short corners after the three-quarter-time siren were the best chances for Tigers, with the third quarter played predominantly in the midfield, but they were unable to get past the strong Strikers backline.
The last quarter was spent mostly in Tigers’ forward half, but they were unable to create any clear shots on goal and the game was destined for extra time.
In a blow for Tigers, Mengler was sent off almost immediately in the first period of overtime for a wayward tackle.
Greg Doll created the best chance of the game by taking a free hit quickly and passing to Brady Cooper in the goals, but unfortunately for Tigers, Cooper could not get around the imposing figure of Mason Hill in goals.
With the score locked at one goal all, the game was set for a penalty shoot out.
Hill was aggressive in the goals and saved the first two Tigers’ efforts, but went too far with two other plays which resulted in two penalty strokes for Tigers, both of which were converted by captain Luke Hunter.
Lochie Nisbet also converted for Tigers, while Connor Millhouse and Andrew Schubert both converted for Strikers, as did McCarthy, so after the first round of penalties it was 3-3 and heading for golden goal.
McCarthy converted, followed by a beautiful tomahawk goal from Nisbet.
Millhouse then scored for Strikers, leaving it up to Connor Grant for Tigers, who found the net but after the allotted eight seconds, leaving Strikers to celebrate a grand final berth.
Tigers will now face West in what looks to be an enthralling match up, after West put on a clinical performance to defeat Redbacks 6-0 in their elimination final.
With a number of their key play-makers back from injury, West will fancy their chances of exacting some revenge on Tigers for last years grand final defeat.
In the Division 1 women’s match, Redbacks upset perennial favourites West, with a hard fought 1-0 victory.
The goal was scored by speedster Jemma Heraper in the second quarter, which was reward for sustained pressure by the Redbacks’ midfield.
West threw everything at Redbacks in the second half, moving fullback Dana Jones up the field into a more dangerous scoring position, but she was well held out by defenders Megan Beck and Nicole Vause, who like usual controlled the Redbacks’ structure from the last line.
Steph Wighton’s speed and skill always threatened for Redbacks and they had further chances, but there was almost a last-gasp chance when West was awarded a short corner after the full time siren to try and force extra time.
Unfortunately for West the shot sailed wide and Redbacks locked in the first grand final spot in a tense and entertaining match.
West will look to bounce back against Tigers, who defeated Strikers with a solitary short corner goal in their elimination final.
Tigers are hitting their straps at the right end of the season, but it will be an uphill battle for them to beat West for the first time this season.
In other matches, Division 2 men’s minor premiers Tigers Black defeated Tigers Yellow 3-1 to book their final spot.
Tigers yellow will face Cavaliers next week, after they accounted for West 5-1 in the elimination final on Saturday night.
In Division 2 women Tigers will look to go back-to-back, after going straight through with a 3-1 win over West.
West will face Naracoorte, who easily accounted for Redbacks 5-0 in their match.
In Division 3 men Tigers are through after beating Redbacks 3-0.
Redbacks will play West next week after they had a 2-1 victory over Cavaliers in their elimination final.
In Division 3 women Cavaliers comfortably beat Tigers 4-0 to secure their grand final berth.
Tigers will play West next week for another chance to challenge for the title.
In the Under 15 girls Strikers will look to defend their title from last year and started well by defeating Redbacks 3-0 on Friday night to go straight through.
Redbacks will face Tigers, who won through against West 2-0.
In the Under 15’s boys, minor premiers Redbacks won through to their grand final comfortably over West 6-0.
Tigers came from fourth spot to secure victory over third-placed Strikers 4-3 and live to fight another match against West, to see who meets Redbacks in the grand final.
In the under 12 boys Tigers are through after defeating Strikers 2-1.
Strikers will take on Redbacks next week to secure a grand final berth against Tigers.
In the Under 12 girls, minor premiers Strikers continued their unbeaten streak, advancing past West 2-0.
West will face Redbacks, who drew with Tigers in their elimination final 1-1, but advanced due to their superior ladder position.
