Sharks hold heads high in thrilling draw
A GOAL line save in the final minute by Powerhouse/St Kilda denied Geelong a sixth straight win in women’s Vic League 1 hockey at Stead Park on Saturday.
The 1-1 draw in a high standard game leaves Geelong well-placed as it travels to Berwick to meet secondplaced Casey next round (June 17).
The unbeaten Sharks appeared tentative in the first half and fell behind after 26 minutes before finding their composure. They produced a far better second half and looked the more likely winner after Courtney Pearson levelled scores from a penalty corner in the 45th minute.
Despite the dominance, Powerhouse’s defence stood firm and denied the final shot on goal from a penalty corner via a deflection after Geelong had beaten the keeper.
Coach Shane Walter was pleased with the effort against a side he rated as one of the top two in the competition.
“They’re certainly a class side and from the sidelines it was a good game of hockey to watch,’’ he said. “It was a good, fast game of hockey and competitive right til the end.
“From the position we were in (1-0 down) we could have dropped our heads and could have given them the points, but for our girls to stick it out and get the opportunity to win was good. If we didn’t get that opportunity I would be more disappointed.’’
Walters was delighted with the defence, singling out youngster Gabrielle Sutton for her composure in the first half when Geelong looked shaky.
“I thought Gabby was good down the back today, particularly early when people were a little bit flat, she made some critical tackles,’’ he said. “And our keeper Morgan (Gould) was very good at the end there, she really kept us in it and Courtney Pearson was good again.’’
Geelong’s men lost 2-1 to Gippsland Bulls in a fiery, entertaining game.
Locked a 0-0 at halftime, Gippsland pulled ahead in the 51st minute via a penalty corner but a field goal from young forward Jett Mitchell levelled the score with 10 minutes remaining. Gippsland made it 2-1 with five minutes to go and held on to win.
Coach Dan Taylor was disappointed with the loss but full of praise for the way his team played.
“It was a really fast game. It was end to end stuff and it was really good,’’ he said.
“That’s what the boys were lacking last week (against PEGS) in the first half, a bit of fire in the belly, and they brought it out in the first half.
“To go down 2-1 was a little disappointing but I thought he boys played really well. It was 70 minutes of hard, fast hockey.”
Greg Hutchison was Geelong’s best, while Gus McKinnon and goalkeeper Ben Champion also did well.
The men’s reserves had a strong 4-2 win over Gippsland, while women’s reserves lost their first game of the year, 3-1 for Powerhouse/St Kilda.