DIVISION 1 MEN
TIGERS 7 d STRIKERS 1
AN undermanned Strikers suffered at the hands of Tigers in their round three Lower South East Hockey Association meeting on Saturday.
With a handful of younger players in Tasmania to represent their state in the National Hockey Championships, Strikers did well to hold their ground in the first half.
Tigers’ Brady Cooper found himself open after a short corner and converted the first goal of the match to give his team an early lead.
That saw Strikers attempt the counter attack, but they struggled to find a way through the Tigers defence.
Youngster Caleb Linsday was a standout in the Strikers’ forward line and was well matched by Tigers’ Jarryd Burston.
Strikers full back Nick Copping caused headaches for the Tigers forward line, dispossessing them on more than one occasion in one-on-one contests.
At quarter time Tigers held a one-nil lead and in the second term Strikers stepped up a gear to deny Tigers entry to the attacking circle.
But defence was not easily turned into attack, with few offensive opportunities presenting themselves.
Aaron Mengler then extended the Tigers lead with an impressive run down the field.
At the main break Strikers remained two goals down, but in the second half the side started to tire.
Tigers’ Lachie Nisbet and Mengler found more open field and used it to their advantage.
Jordan Millhouse and Dean McCarthy ran tirelessly for Strikers and Chris Hunt was relentless in defence, but they could not deny Cooper his second goal.
The likelihood of a Tigers win became certain when Mengler converted his team’s fourth, while Burston scored the goal of the match with a powerful back-stick strike from the top of the circle.
Tigers put another nail in the coffin after the three-quarter time whistle to set up a 6-0 lead.
The game settled down in the final quarter as both teams knew the result was decided.
Tigers continued to dominate possession, but were unable to convert.
With time expiring fast, Strikers Dean McCarthy was rewarded with a consolation goal to add some respectability to the scoreboard.
However, Mengler soon responded with his third to put the final stamp on a dominating 7-1 Tigers victory.
DIVISION 2 MEN
NARACOORTE 2 d CAVALIERS 1
BOTH Naracoorte Rams and Cavaliers came out strong in their Division 2 clash, with high intensity on display through the midfield.
After building up some play, Naracoorte quickly moved the ball into the circle and scored a goal to set up an early lead.
That was a deciding factor in the end, with the Rams claiming a tight 2-1 victory.
Cavaliers hit hard at the start of the second quarter and scored in the opening seconds to level the game.
From there it was a tussle to put the winning goal on the board and despite constant attacking pressure, Cavaliers prevented Naracoorte from scoring in the second term.
A raise in intensity in the second half led to several penalty corners and chances to score, but as opportunities were squandered, so were the chances to take home maximum points.
However, the Rams eventually broke through with a goal in the third term.
A scoreless fourth quarter saw Naracoorte with a close one-goal win.
DIVISION 2 WOMEN
STRIKERS 2 d TIGERS 0
STRIKERS came away with the points in the Division 2 women’s match against Tigers on Saturday, but the win did not come easily.
Welcoming Tayla England back to the side this year, Strikers sport a well-paced midfield, as England combines with Tara Henningsen and Anna Gourley to bring added speed through the attack line.
A well-connected opening play saw England and Henningsen bring the ball quickly through the forward line and with a well-timed lead by Cathy Ashby, the first goal of the match was scored.
As the pace calmed, Strikers seemed to have more of the ball, but suffered constant turnovers from the Tigers defensive line where Kelsey Hateley and Kirrily Cooper acted as a brick wall.
The strong Tigers defence silenced Strikers’ many scoring opportunities, with Kaitlin Nisbet in fine form in her newfound goalkeeper position.
Eventually Strikers’ efforts were rewarded with a second goal late in the final quarter, as Anna Gourley had a solo run from the midfield to beat her opposition and find the back of the goals and set up a 2-0 victory.
DIVISION 3 WOMEN
STRIKERS 3 d/w CAVALIERS 3
A HIGH-scoring draw was the result of the Division 3 women’s match between Strikers and Cavaliers Sunday night.
Strikers dominated play for the first quarter, but it was Cavaliers’ Ella Simmonds who scored first.
Strikers upped its game to reply through Grace DeGaris early in the second quarter and the scoring continued goal-for-goal throughout the match.
Kate Fabian was key to the Cavaliers’ midfield and combined well with Ella Simmonds to control the play.
They worked in well with Karen MacGregor who steadied her side and created space.
Strikers strong defence broke down many of Cavaliers’ attacking plays.
Julienne Schubert was well positioned to receive the clearing passes into the Strikers forward 25 and converted her team’s second goal.
Cavaliers utilised a faster midfield to take back the lead with some good running play by Isabelle Lardner to level the scores again.
The final Strikers’ goal saw Aleesha Searle nudge her side in front, but Cavaliers fought back to score the equaliser and draw the match.
UNDER 15 GIRLS
STRIKERS 0 d/w WEST 0
STRIKERS and West had a tightly contested match on Saturday morning, with neither side able to hit the scoreboard.
In the first half it appeared Strikers would dominate, but they were unable to convert the many opportunities.
Samara Herpich was a standout for Strikers, using her skill and pace well to control the play.
West goalkeeper Lauren Smith was up to the task though and kept her side in the match with some good saves.
In the second half Strikers had a real scoring chance with a penalty corner opportunity, but a skilful stop by West half-back Ella Higgins prevented the goal.
For West, Tess Kenseley was a key contributor and created attacking opportunities from centre forward.
West had opportunities to pinch the win in the dying minutes, but was unable to capitalise on a couple of penalty corners and the scoreboard remained untouched.
