By Rochelle Simmonds - Victorian Team Manager
Grand Final: Victoria V Queensland
Today didn’t end up playing out like the Vic girls had planned. There are days in hockey when things go your way and others when it doesn’t. Today we missed early opportunities and Queensland made the most of their chances.
From the outset the Victorian girls looked dangerous. Their passing was excellent and they had the Queensland defence under pressure in the circle. Three penalty corners in the first 6 minutes of the game had us close to scoring but the ball was narrowly missing. Our attackers, particularly Em Tulloch, Krissy and Darci were finding space and the midfield was on top. But we couldn’t score...
Queensland was trying to play themselves into the game and with 23 minutes on the clock had our defence under enormous pressure in the circle, but Sophie, Georgia and Meg A were equal to the task. A corner awarded to Queensland was stopped by Meg P as first runner and the Vics were back into attack.
The next 10 minutes the ball swung end to end with both teams having opportunities but unable to score. The midfields on both teams were dangerous. Anna, Nicola H and Breenie were getting plenty of ball and sending it forward. When it went up the defensive end our girls were working hard and making some great tackles. Em S and Meg P were again dominant in the middle.
But with 13 minutes left in the half Queensland got a break away, moved the ball well into the circle and got one past Sarah in goals. This seemed to take the wind out of the Vic girls and give the Queenslanders a much needed confidence boost and two minutes later some poor marking in the circle saw their player in space and another goal on the board. Vic 0 – Queensland 2.
The Vic girls to their credit rallied well, and under enormous pressure, were able to defend well and in the last 5 minutes have many opportunities just miss. Going into half time they were still in the game having had so many balls just miss. Marc and KA asked for desperation and endeavour in the second half and to give it everything.
Unfortunately for the Vic girls the second half didn’t play out that way. Queensland seized on opportunities and put the ball away. To the girls credit they fought the game out and had most of the play in the last 10 minutes but the damage had already been done. A straight hit by Darci from a corner with 3 minutes left in the game was a good reward for all of the hard work, but on the day the Queensland girls were too good. The final score which included a stroke one minute before time was Victoria 1 – Queensland 6.
Well done to all of the girls for their efforts over the past fortnight. They grew as a team and it is a credit to them that they were able to play off in the final. The coaching staff of Marc and Katie worked tirelessly, as did Gabe as physio and James as our sports scientist. Although we couldn’t win the third in a row, the disappointment experienced by many in the grand final will only make them hungrier next year to win it back.
Final Score: Victoria 1 defeated by Queensland 6
Scorer: Darci Kleinschmidt
By Rochelle Simmonds - Victorian Team Manager
Semi Final: Victoria v NSW
In a replay of last year’s Grand Final Victoria took on NSW to see who would earn a place in the Grand Final against Queensland. The NSW team started well and were playing at a very high intensity. As in the preliminary rounds they had a shot on goal two minutes into the game, but it rebounded off the post and the subsequent shot was saved by Sarah. NSW continued to attack and were rewarded with a penalty corner with 29 minutes on the clock. The Victorian girls defended well in scrappy play around the goals.
Play then settled into a battle where both teams moved the ball well up and down the field and gradually the Vic girls were playing themselves into the contest. Breenie was getting plenty of ball and a run by Cassie through the centre saw her on the end of a pass in the circle, a desperate dive and the ball was in the goal. Victoria 1 – NSW 0.
Three minutes later a rebounded ball came high at Krissy who resorted back to her softball days and ‘batted ‘the ball in for a goal. Vic 2 – NSW 0.
The next 10 minutes saw the Victorian girls under a lot of pressure as NSW tried to play themselves back into the match. A second corner with less than 10 minutes on the clock saw the ball hit the cross bar from a deflection from the runner. The with 4 minutes left to play in the half, a NSW player ran into the circle after beating the defenders, and slotted it past Sarah. Vic 2 – NSW 1.
That was how the score line remained for the half after a NSW goal was disallowed from a corner after it came off the girl’s foot.
The start of the second half saw the NSW players attack. Victoria was struggling to hit targets and was getting caught with the ball. With the defence under pressure Georgia was making some excellent saves and Sophie was again all over their attackers. Cassie, Meg and Olivia were working hard to stop the fast runners coming in from out wide.
Then the midfield started to get on top from about the 20 minute mark. The girls were passing well, with Anna, Breenie and Nicola providing pace through the midfield. Em Seccull and Meg P were again sensational in the middle and were providing the drive forward. Our strikers ably led by Krissy who was playing very well worked a corner at the 21 minute mark. A push to Meg P and she did a beautiful hit that gave the keeper no chance. Vic 3 – NSW 1.
However NSW were not giving up without a fight. Their midfield linked with the strikers to have our defenders caught out and an open goal resulted. Victoria 3 – NSW 2.It was danger time for the Vics but the girls dug deep. A brilliant pass from Anna running through the centre put it on the stick of Em Tulloch who eliminated her player as she ran into the circle and smashed it past the keeper. Vic 4 – NSW 2.
The last 10 minutes were a slog with both teams moving the ball from end to end. NSW had chances but couldn’t convert their corners against a tight defence. Sarah made some desperate saves and the game was ours. A berth in the Grand Final against Queensland tomorrow and a chance to make it three in a row.
GO VICTORIA. Final Score Victoria 4 defeated NSW 2
Goal Scorers: Sarah Breen, Krissy Bates, Meg Pearce, Emily Tulloch
By Rochelle Simmonds - Victorian Team Manager
Game 7, April 18
Victoria V Tasmania
Today was a must win game for both teams if they were to make finals without having to rely on other results and from the outset both teams started at a high intensity.
The Victorian girls took control early and were putting the Tasmanian defence under pressure with great passing and fast running. With another trip to Cold Rock promised for an early goal, the attackers went forward with vigour. A shot on goal by the Vics was rebounded by Krissy whose shot found the keeper’s pads but was swooped on by Nic Brown, who finished it off. Seven minutes in and the Vics were 1-0 up.
The midfield was on top and Meg P was controlling the game from the centre. Nic Hammo and Breenie were unstoppable down either side and were constantly on the end of passes from Meg. The forwards looked dangerous but the Tasmanian keeper was able to stand up to the pressure and made some excellent saves. The Vic girls had their chances with corners but were just missing the goals in the heavy conditions.
Midway through the half the Tasmania midfield stepped up a notch and on a couple of occasions found their way through the midfield to their fast running forwards. Sarah made some great saves but the ball kept coming back and the Tasmanian girls were awarded a corner. The defenders were able to clear it out and moments later a counter attack by the Vic saw us with a corner. A push to Meg followed by a straight hit saw the ball in the net and we were 2 goals up. Vic 2 – Tasmania 0.
Tasmania were determined not to go in to the break without scoring and pressed hard for the last 5 minutes of the half. A defensive mistake was jumped on by the Tasmanian striker who carried the ball to the top of the circle and cracked a brilliant goal one minute before half time. Vic 2 – Tas 1.
The second half started much the same as the first. The Vic girls were into attack early and drew the corners. Meg P and Nic started strongly and Em Seccull was assisting in the centre. Krissy was leading the strikers and Em Tulloch was getting quick shots off in the circle but the Tassie Keeper was equal to our challenges.
Although we dominated the majority of play for the first 20 minutes of the second half we were unable to get a score. Tasmania threw everything at the Vic girls in the last ten minutes. A corner was shot was stopped by Meg as first runner. Georgia was working hard with Sophie to clear circle penetrations and Cassie and Meg were assisting out wide.
With four minutes left on the clock a shot looked in but collected the post and rebounded straight to another Tassie striker. She had the shot on what appeared an open goal but the ever reliable Sarah Furian got a foot on it and cleared it wide. She was called on again with 3 minutes to go to defend a corner and with less than 2 minutes on the clock dived to the ground and got her stick on another certain goal.
The ball then travelled to our attack and in an effort to run down the clock we worked the ball in the corner. With relentless pressure the Vic girls moved the ball out to the 25 where it was intercepted and sent forward. Some great defence by the Vic girls saw the ball safely over the line and the win was theirs. We have now secured 3rd spot on the ladder and will play NSW in the semi final on Friday. Queensland will play South Australia in the other semi.
Final Score: Victoria 2 defeated Tasmania 1
Goal Scorers: Nicola Brown (1), Meg Pearce (1)
By Rochelle Simmonds - Victorian Team Manager
Game 6, April 17
Game 6 Victoria V Northern Territory
In wet conditions the Victorian girls lifted their play from the outset and attacked from the start. With a visit to ‘Cold Rock’ as incentive for a good start, the Vic girls were straight into attack and had the NT defence under enormous pressure. A corner was awarded after 3 minutes and a rebound by the keeper was swooped on by Breenie and hammered home. Vic 1 – NT 0.
The midfield was well on top and transfers across the ground between Anna and Nicola were excellent and kept the ball moving forward. The forwards were playing in front and were putting pressure on the defence and we were awarded corners. With 19 minutes on the clock a new variation of the corner battery saw Anna step around the runner and pass to Mel who deflected the ball in past the keeper. Vic 2 – NT 0.
With their tales up Meg, Sophie and Em S were directing play in the centre and Breenies and Krissy were linking with the forwards. Nic B, Em T and Jessie all went close to scoring but it was a brilliant start by Nicola H to Em in the circle and onto Mel who scored again. Vic 3 – NT 0.
The girls kept the pressure up and with three minutes left on the clock Sophie’s one touch found Krissy on the post and she made no mistake. Vic 4 – NT 0.
The last three minutes of the half the NT girls found some space and it took a brilliant save by Georgia in the circle to keep the sheet clean going into the break.
The second half was played out much the same as the first. With the rain getting heavier and the pitch playing slow the Vic girls at times overplayed the ball rather than passing as they had in the first half. There were many shots on goal but excellent defence by NT and some good saves by their keeper held the Vic girls out until 20 minutes into the half.
A corner by the Vic girls was saved by the NT defence. After 3 saves by the NT keeper the clearance found it’s way to Krissy at the top of the circle. A smart choice to flick the ball over the keeper saw the ball in the net for our first goal of the half. Vic 5 – NT 0.
Victoria controlled the rest of the half. Anything that made it past Meg or Em S was cut off by Ando and Cassie who were moving the ball forward to our midfield with pinpoint accuracy considering the conditions.
Our forwards went close but were unable to trouble the scorers and the game played out with Victoria doing the majority of the attack. Tomorrow we play Tasmania in a must win game to ensure a chance to play in finals.
Final Score: Victoria 5 defeated Northern Territory 0
Scorers: Kristina Bates (2), Melinda Casey (2), Sarah Breen (1)
By Rochelle Simmonds - Victorian Team Manager
Game 5, April 15
Another game of ‘what ifs’ was played out by the Victorian girls today and unfortunately they went down 1-3 to a determined South Australian team.
The Victorian girls started the game well today and had most of the attack for the first 10 minutes. Some close chances, instigated by some excellent circle work by Em Tulloch, but the SA keeper was equal to the challenge. Corners for both teams followed with shots going wide.
Then the Victorian midfield took control with Em Seccull directing play and linking with Krissy, Breenie and Anna. Meg P was providing excellent back up and sending the ball forward to the strikers. But still the Vic girls could not find the net.
SA then upped their work rate and found holes in the Vic press. Their quick strikers got some through passes and drew corners. After numerous chances a hit back to the pusher saw the deflection get past Sarah and SA were on the board. SA 1 – Vic 0.
Having been in this position every game the Vic girls rallied and attacked. A corner shot again missed the mark, but the counter attack by SA saw a 5 on 2 scenario.Sarah slowed them and a great diving save by Georgia in the last line stopped the goal.
With 30 seconds left in the half, Anna was passed the ball from a long corner. She got around at least three defenders as she made her way into space in the circle and cracked one home. Vic 1 – SA 1.
Buoyed on by the late first half goal the Vic girls started the second half well. But SA were equal to any challenge and ten minutes into the half drew a corner and a straight hit found the backboard. SA 2 – Vic 1.
A quick counter attack from the centre saw Mel with an open net but she just pushed it wide. SA then capitalised on their luck by moving the ball quickly up the ground and converted with some slick passing in the circle. A few corners to Victoria but they were unable to get past the strong SA defence. Late in the game, with the midfield still on top the ball was passed to a running Anna down the right. She got the ball to Darci who crossed beautifully to Jessie, who just couldn’t quite get a stick on it as she was running in to the post.
A disappointing result for the girls but with other fickle results the girls are still in with a chance to play finals but the next two games become must win encounters.
Tuesday we play NT and on Wednesday we play Tasmania.
Final Score: Victoria 1 defeated by South Australia 3
Goal Scorer: Anna Robinson
By Rochelle Simmonds - Victorian Team Manager
Game 4, April 14
After a rest day the Victorian girls faced ACT in fairly warm conditions. Again the Victorian defence was under pressure early and again they had a goal scored against then in the first 5 minutes. The ACT striker crossed the ball to her player on the spot who deflected the ball past Sam in goals.
You could say that the Victorian girls are used to coming from behind, having had goals scored early against them in the other matches and in the next five minutes they started to assert themselves and mounted many attacks. A corner 11 minutes into the half looked promising as Jess drag flicked the ball but it was stopped on the line by an ACT defender.
A counter attack by ACT saw the ball move quickly to the other end where our defenders were caught napping. Sam was one on one with their striker and managed to deflect the ball but a second ACT striker jumped on the loose ball and unfortunately our defenders were unable to stop the ball dribbling over the line. ACT 2-Vic 0.
The game then see-sawed end to end. There were corners to both teams without conversions. Sam dropped to save a hit from an ACT corner shot, and was then caught out, but some excellent defence from Meg as the ball moved around the circle stopped ACT getting their shot off.
With two minutes left on the clock Vic were awarded a corner. Darci stepped up with an excellent hit that found Nicola Brown on the post and she deflected it in for her first goal of the tournament. Vic 1-ACT 2.
The second half started and the Victorian midfield started to string passes together. Meg P and Em Seccull were working hard and sending the ball to Anna who was doing plenty of hard running. Victoria had chances, a corner shot was deflected by their goalie back to Anna near the post but her brilliant ‘cricket’ swing found the keepers glove.
The defenders were put under pressure and a goal shot by ACT found Georgia’s forearm which left the Vic girls a player down. Sam made a great judgement call when a fast ACT striker made her way into the circle, making a great save. Our strikers were starting to get the ball courtesy of some hard work in the midfield by Anna, Breenie and Krissy. We looked dangerous but just couldn’t penetrate into the circle against tight ACT defence.
In the end the clock beat the Victorian girls and full credit must go to the ACT girls who defended well, especially in the last 5 minutes against repeated Victorian attacks. The girls must now regroup before tomorrow’s important match against South Australia, who will be keen to avenge their loss to NSW today.
Final Score: Victoria 1 defeated by ACT 2
Goal Score: Nicola Brown (33 PC)
By Rochelle Simmonds - Victorian Team Manager
Game 3, April 12
Victoria defeated Western Australia 3-1
Western Australia came into today’s game as favourites after a 7-1 thrashing of NSW yesterday. The Victorian girls knew they had to play good hockey to win and in the first three minutes it was all WA. Some costly errors in the backline saw the ball in the net for WA and with the score 0-1 the Vic girls started to impose themselves.
They started working the passes and were rewarded with a corner with 28 minutes on the clock. A straight hit by Darci found the backboard and the game was squared up at 1-1. Meg and Em Seccull were linking with the midfield, and in a particularly good passage of play Meg found Anna running forward of the centre. She carried the ball down the left side and after some close contact from the WA defender was awarded the corner. Unfortunately for the Vics they were unable to convert from the set play.
For the next 10 minutes both teams played some excellent hockey. Our defenders were put under pressure but good defensive work by Cassie, Meg A, Sophie, Liv and Georgia saw the WA attacks safely back to our halves. Em Seccull had complete control in the centre and was making distribution of the ball forward look easy even when under the relentless pressure of the WA press.
With 11 minutes to go in the half our forwards drew a corner. Step up Darci and Victoria was ahead 2-1. Not to be outdone, WA applied the pressure. With no defenders, a WA striker took a shot from near the top of the circle. A great save by Sarah as the ball was going top left kept Victoria ahead. The last five minutes of the half saw the Victorian girls apply the pressure to the WA defence. Krissy was moving the ball well around the circle, and Mel was trying to get shots off but the WA defence held firm and the Victorians went into half time with a 1 goal lead.
The second half started with the Victorian girls applying the same intensity as they finished the first half with. Em Seccull decided to show she can work her magic in the circle as well as through the centre and drew the corner 8 minutes into the half. Unfortunately for the Vics they were unable to convert from a Jessie flick.
Against the run of play WA carried the ball forward and drew a corner but some strong running by Meg cut off any chance of a shot. The game then played out for the next 10 minutes in the midfields. Strong passing by both teams moved the ball from end to end. With 5 minutes left in the game the WA attacker shot from the top of the circle and Sarah again made a great save deflecting the ball over the baseline.
In the final minutes Anna got hold of the ball just over the centre line and sent the ball to Krissy at the top of the circle. She passed to a running Darci who slotted home her third for the game and consequently scored a packet of M&M’s courtesy of a bet with Rochelle.
Overall a very good game by both teams with the Victorian girls making the most of their opportunities. Tomorrow is a rest day and the girls are going Jet Boating, before taking on ACT and ladder leaders South Australia over the weekend.
Final Score: Victoria 3 def Western Australia 1
Goal Scorers: Darci Kleinschmidt 3
Thursday 12th April
Game Twelve: WA 1 vs VIC 3
Hat Trick Gets Victoria Back on Track
GOALSCORERS
WA: Rachel BARCLAY (3m)
VIC: Darci Kleinschmidt (8m, 25m, 69m)
After demolishing hosts New South Wales yesterday, Western Australia entered the game against Victoria as favourites in day three of Australian Under 18 Women's Championship in Newcastle. But a hat trick from Darci Kleinschmidt gave VIC a 3-1 win to take them into second place of the competition.
WA started the match confidently, with Rachel Barclay slotting a field goal past goalkeeper Samantha Hogan in the 3rd minute to give WA an early lead. After a shaky start, the VIC backline knew they had to tighten to stay competitive against an in-form WA team.
Soon Kleinschmidt converted a penalty corner for VIC to even the match in the 8th minute. The navy blues rallied with VIC midfield taking control of the match, delivering the ball to the forwards and assisting the backline by locking the ball out of their defensive circle.
Kleinschmidt again found the back of the net just before half time, converting another brilliant penalty corner to take VIC to a 2-1 lead. Not to be outdone, WA pushed the VIC defence with a terrific save by VIC goalkeeper Sarah Furian to keep her team in the lead at half time.
VIC went into the break with confidence and started the second half with the same intensity. VIC Emily Seccull continued her dominance in the midfield, trying her luck in the circle but unable to get past the WA defence. WA soon turned the tables, applying pressure on the VIC defence but goalkeeper Furian made some fantastic saves to deny WA to increase their score.
In the final minutes Kristina Bates passed to a running Kleinschmidt, who slotted home her third for the game to give VIC a 3-1 victory.
After a well-earned rest day VIC will next take on Australian Capital Territory on Saturday at 11:00am, with WA meeting Tasmania the game after at 1:00pm. Both games are being played at Newcastle International Hockey Centre, with free entry to all games.
By Rochelle Simmonds - Victorian Team Manager
Game 2, April 11
Today, like yesterday, started with the Victorian defence under pressure early, but they stood up. Sam Hogan playing her first game as GK for Victoria was in the action early, saving a drag flick from a Queensland corner three minutes in. Meg Pearce and Em Seccull were excellent and they were ably backed up by Georgia in full back. 


Breenie was working hard and with vision from the centre sent a ball to a running Darci in the circle who just missed with the deflection. Nicola Hammond was finding plenty of ball in the first half and linked well with Anna to move the ball forward to the strikers.


Again much of the play was through the midfield with both teams having opportunities with shots on goal. There were passages of good play where the midfield was able to move the ball with slick passes and the defence, particularly Meg Anderson and Olivia were always working back and applying pressure until support arrived. 


In the last ten minutes of the half both teams had corner opportunities ad were unlucky not to score and went into the break 0 – 0.


The second half was much of the same – many break aways and open play but hard working defences on both sides sent the ball back to where it had come. Queensland had chances early with a Victorian break at the corner but strong work by Meg P as the runner kept the ball out of the circle.


Em Seccull and Sophie were working hard and combining well in the centre, often starting the attack. Nic Hammond was running hard and Krissy was working her magic forward. Nic Brown and Em T were unlucky not to get a touch on long balls into the circle mid way through the half.


Then the rain got heavier, passes got slower and the game became a slog. Both teams worked very hard but neither could find the net. The end result was a 0-0 draw, in what was a game played out between the two 25’s. It was good to take a point away from what was a tough game played in heavy wet conditions.


Tomorrow Victoria plays WA who is coming off a big win against NSW today.
Wednesday 11th April
Game Eight: VIC 0 vs QLD 0
‘Even Steven for Comp Favourites’
Australian U18 Women’s Championships Newcastle International Hockey Centre, Broadmeadow
It was the game that would highlight the stand out favourite for this year’s Australian Under 18 Women’s Championship, but both Victoria and Queensland couldn’t be separated in a nil-all draw to end proceedings on day two of competition.
Both teams stood strong in defence, with goalkeepers making some great saves. VIC Sam Hogan debuted in her first game as goalkeeper and saved a superb drag flick in the opening minutes of the match. Both teams displayed slick ball carrying skills through the midfield, but defenders were too strong with both teams unable to convert penalty corners.
VIC and QLD went into the break unlucky to have scored and the second half started in the same flavour as the first, with many break away plays but hard working defence and great saves denied goals. Much like yesterday, bad weather interrupted play and made ball use sloppy by both teams.
As the rain got heavier, passes got slower between the girls and the match became a slog. VIC and QLD had to contend with a draw in a tough game played in heavy conditions.
VIC will next take on Western Australia on Thursday 12 April at 3:00pm, with QLD meeting hosts New South Wales in the game prior at 1:00pm. Both games are being played at Newcastle International Hockey Centre, with free entry to all games.
Click here to view fixture, ladder, results and statistics
By Rochelle Simmonds - Victorian Team Manager
Game 1, April 10
Victoria defeated NSW 2-1
After getting here and training on Easter Sunday and Monday the Victorian girls were ready for their opening game against NSW today. And they needed to be because for the opening 20 minutes the NSW girls attacked relentlessly.
In the opening minute Sarah Furian was called on to make three brilliant saves in goals and another, two minutes into the game, when NSW had a corner. Our defenders were under a lot of pressure and with the midfield were making clearances, but NSW kept coming.
Against the run of play the Victorian girls combined with Anna to Jess to Darci and Em Seccull in the circle who, with some smart play, drew a corner. Unfortunately no conversion, but a counter attack by NSW and some scrappy play in the circle saw the ball get behind Sarah for an easy tap in to the NSW attacker. NSW 1 – Vic 0
The next ten minutes again saw our defenders put under pressure but they were staying composed, particularly Olivia and Sophie, who were backing themselves out of defence and making smart passed to the centre midfield players in Em Seccull and both Meg’s (Anderson and Pearce). Breenie and Anna were playing themselves into the game and Darci was beginning to create opportunities up forward with Jessie.
As the first half wore on our midfield was starting to get on top and we were unlucky when a corner with 13 minutes left on the clock just missed, when a touch by Nic Hammond went wide. NSW had another corner but some great defensive work by Meg P after Sarah Furian cleared the shot, saw the
The last six minutes the girls stepped it up a notch. A passage of play starting in the back half with Breenie passing to Anna, who had strength on the ball and got around her player to a leading Krissy in the corner. She took the ball into the circle for a brilliant tomahawk cross to Darci on the spot, who got her stick on the ball, but the deflection hit the side. Not to be disheartened by the result, a minute later Darci worked the ball through the circle through the defenders to earn a stroke. Step up Meg Pearce and the score was equal going into the break. Vic 1 – NSW 1
At half time Marc and Katie asked for more of what they had seen in the last 15 minutes of that half. The game became an even tussle of the midfields. Georgia and Cassie were keeping the pressure on the attackers and with Sophie they repelled many attacks. A clearance from Sophie to Nic Hammond saw the ball into our attacking 25 for a long corner. Em Seccull did her magic in the circle and drew a corner. Unfortunately no score.
The game opened up with many passages of excellent linking passes and the ball swinging end to end as each team wrestled for ascendency. With 17 minutes left on the clock NSW had another corner, but Meg, as first runner saw that they didn’t get a clean hit away. Em Tulloch and Mel were working hard up forward and Mel was rewarded with a corner when she found a foot in the circle. A string of passes found Em Tulloch on the end of a shot and she made no mistake. Vic 2 – NSW 1
With only 11 minutes left in the game NSW were not giving up without a fight and the ball was down in their circle within 10 seconds. Our girls stayed composed, with Georgia and Olivia doing some great defensive work and all Vic girls getting back to help. With 5 minutes left on the clock Anna combined with Nic Hammo across the centre to Mel at the top of the circle who was unlucky not to get the shot off.
The final 40 seconds of the match were nail biting with NSW earning a corner taken after the siren but our girls saw the ball over the end line for a great first round victory.
Official Media Release - Hockey NSW
Australian U18 Women’s Championships Newcastle International Hockey Centre, Broadmeadow
10 – 21 April 2012
Tuesday 10th April

Game One: VICTORIA vs NSW
‘Victoria takes first victory in opening match in Newcastle’
GOALSCORERS
NSW: Amelia LEARD (6m)
VIC: Meg PEARCE (30m); Emily TULLOCH (60m)
It was a rematch of the 2011 Grand Final and the result was the same with Victoria winning the opening match of the Australian Under 18 Women’s Championship against hosts New South Wales. It was an even match with tight defending, with the Victorians making more of their opportunities in front of the net.
But it was NSW who opened the score six minutes into the game, with Amelia Leard slotting a great field goal into the back of the goal. Victoria levelled shortly before half time with a penalty shot from captain Meg Pearce. The teams went into the break one goal apiece, however the NSW girls were on the back foot having defended for most of the first half.
It was an aggressive and refreshed NSW who came charging into the second half, dominating possession however could not convert their opportunities in goal. Hometown girl Mariah Williams did well to lead her team from the front, but the Victorian defence stayed strong under pressure.
With ten minutes left in the game Victorian Emily Tulloch juggled a penalty corner conversion passed goalkeeper Rene Hunter to take the Victorians into the lead for the first time. NSW missed an opportunity to draw the game with a penalty corner in the remaining seconds of the game.
Victoria will next take on Queensland tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3:00pm, while NSW will meet Western Australia at 9:00am, both games being played at Newcastle International Hockey Centre, Broadmeadow.
GREEN CARD/S
VIC: Meg PEARCE (37m); Darci KLEINSCHMIDT (41m)
YELLOW CARD/S
NSW: Ashley NINNESS (62m)
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