New Jersey lift National Women Champion title: Women Hockey Update
Kathleen Sharkey scored the game-winner in the sudden-death overtime, as New Jersey edged past South in the finals and captured the title of the National Women Championship for the third consecutive year played at the American University in Washington, DC,
on May 27, 2011.
It was quite a nail-biting contest where both the teams put all their efforts to get the results into their favour. However, the regular time was not enough for the two teams to decide the fate of the title. The two teams were forced to move into the sudden-death
overtime to determine the winner of the championship.
From the very start of the match, New Jersey started offensive style of play. Luckily, they succeeded in their efforts when Katie Evans scored her first goal of the game in 13th minute of the game. She managed to take the ball at the top of the
circle and struck a sweeping shot that moved swiftly into the South’s goal-post.
However, the joys were short-lived, as the South team earned a short corner in the 15th minute of the game that was tested in the hands of Caitlin Van Sickle. Her hit was blocked from the opposite side, but Jaclyn Radvany shot the rebound into
the net and had it all even at 1-1. Though both the teams continued attacking each other, the opening half concluded without any addition at 1-1.
In the second half of play, both the teams continued their disciplined game particularly the defensive lines. With minutes into the second half, South earned another short corner and this time it gave Kelsey Kolojejchick a chance to mark a go-ahead goal.
She executed a well-coordinated shot to put the South ahead onto the scoreboard, 2-1.
In a matter of twelve minutes, New Jersey managed a penalty corner and a chance to make the score level. Julia Reinprecht unleashed a powerful shot at the goal, locking horns once again at 2-2. Both the squads failed to make an addition onto the score-board
in the remaining time period despite plenty of attacks and counter-attacks.
With two minutes into the extra-time, Sharkey fired a shot absolutely in the South’s cage and sealed the victory at 3-2. With a hardly-fought win, New Jersey won the title of the National Women Championship.
Lee Bodimeade, the Head Coach of the USA Team while speaking to the media said that it was wonderful tournament which increased the level of play in the country. He stated, “It was a fantastic tournament that was successfully organized and run. The level
of performance was far more accelerated than expected. It was pleasing to see the amount of talent and ability on the pitch this past week.”
Jaclyn Kintzer was honoured as the best goal-keeper of the event while K. Reinprecht earned the award of the Best Player.
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