New Jersey and Pennsylvania win at National Women Championship: Hockey Recap
In the fourth day of the National Women Championship (NWC), New Jersey and Pennsylvania emerged victorious over Mid Atlantic and California in their respective matches that took place on May 24, 2011 at the American University in Washington DC, USA.
In the contest between Mid Atlantic and New Jersey, the two teams displayed outstanding performances to enthral the audience. However, it was Mid Atlantic that drew the first blood. Tara Puffenberger managed to take the ball at the top of the circle and unleashed a powerful shot that sailed perfectly into the goal. It was the only goal from the two sides in the first half of play.
The pace of the game increased in the second half of play and both the sides started a more aggressive style of play. The players from New Jersey carried out plenty of attacks, out of which three were successful and expanded the lead to, 3-1. Katie Reinprecht notched a couple of goals while her team-mate, Michelle Cesan, added a goal from the field to put her side ahead onto the score-board.
With passage of every minute, the speed of the game increased and both teams were on high mark to get the game under their control. In the last minutes of the game, the Mid Atlantic team received another short corner and tested this time Paige Selenski. She executed a powerful reverse shot that past New Jersey goalie and reduced the lead down to a single goal, 3-2. With seconds remaining onto the clock, Kathleen Sharkey scored her fourth goal of the championship and sealed the New Jersey triumph at 4-2.
In the last match of the day, Pennsylvania and California faced each other at the same venue with Pennsylvania coming out victorious by three straight goals, 3-0. It was a best power show, but Amy Tran-Swenson, who is considered one of the best goal-keepers in the world, kept the opponent strikers off the score-board. Californians failed to touch the score-board and as well to impress the on-lookers.
Torrie Albini scored first goal of the game while her team-mate, Jaime Montgomery, doubled the lead through the same field effort. On the other side, California found loads of chances to score the goal at the start of the second half but to no avail. Swenson deflected all the strikes in keeping her side ahead in the way to success.
Shannon Taylor managed to take the ball at the top of the circle and scored another goal through a direct shot. She was at her best, who not only scored the goal but also assisted her team-mates.
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