Strikers back in the top four

There were two big wins for the Junior Strikers on Friday night.

The under 16s were in Melbourne playing Toorak East Malvern Hockey Club at the Hawthorn Hockey Field. It was a slow start for the girls until Zizi Pozzebon found the back of the goal which ended up being one of four goals she scored for the night. The flood gates quickly opened and other players were soon helping out with Leandra and Jenna McLauchlan and Chloe Johnstone all chipping in with one each. A highlight of the night though was 13-year-old Charlotte Smith scoring her first goal for the season.

The under-18 Gippsland Strikers have had a couple of weeks of ups and downs and came into the Friday night game with a renewed attitude and enthusiasm and it truly paid off with a 4-1 win against Powerhouse St. Kilda Hockey Club. Goal scorers were Ariya Mock, Thea Pozzebon, Jordan Oellermann and Elliot Stephens. This much-needed win kept them in the top four and finals contention with four rounds to go

Strikers Women came up against a strong team from Frankston in an unusual Sunday clash. Frankston started well, scoring early with a solid deflection from a corner. Strikers worked back into the game, the defensive unit working exceptionally well together to repel Frankston's attack. Frankston scored twice again, Strikers walking away from a tough match 3-0 down. This game was also Pride Round - a great reminder that hockey is a sport that welcomes everyone. Hannah VanBreugel was awarded Best on Ground for the Strikers by the umpires for her solid work in the backline.

Local results:

Under 12s

Gulls (10) defeated Aztecs (0). Goal scorers for Gulls: Liam Finger three, Jacob Mock two, Imogen Sciortino, Jayden Sciortino, Will Mitchell, Levi Armstrong and Ashleigh Gourley each scored one.

Warriors (3) defeated Drouids (0). Goal scorers for Warriors: Georgia Hazell, Joshua Smorenburg and Avishai Gounder.

Under 15s

Gulls (6) defeated Aztecs (2). Goal scorers Gulls: Spencer Stephens three, Kodey Sciortino two, Marisah Mock one. Goal scorers Aztecs: Harry Coster and Monique McAskill.

Under 18s

Gulls (2) defeated Aztecs (1). Goal scorers Gulls: Will Smith and Charlotte Smith. Goal scorers Aztecs: Charlie Coster.

Women

Gulls (7) defeated Aztecs (1). Goal Scorers Gulls: Taylor Woods and Merri Spalding two each and Ariya Mock, Katie Tucker and Ruth Tucker with one each. Goal scorers Aztecs: Lauren Austen.

Drouids (0) drew with Warriors.

Men

Aztecs (4) defeated Gulls (0). Goal scorers Aztecs: Jordan Oellermann two, Callan Wallace and Charlie Coster one each.

Warriors (7) defeated Drouids (5). Goal scorers Warriors: Thomas Pettigrew three, Scott Marks two, Hamish Zurrer and John Alexander one each. Goal scorers Drouids: Not available.

Warriors player Prue Metcalfe and Drouids’ Nikki Schellekens face off during the game.

Warriors player Kimberley Reynolds moves the ball down the field.

Warriors player Belinda Cunningham winds up to take a shot.

Drouids player Chloe Maskell takes a shot during the game.

Warriors play Prue Metcalfe moves the ball down the field.

Bunyip’s Billy Hanneysee attempts to take off with the ball while being pursued by Garfield’s Felix Jones and Phacharaphon Wangkaew.