South edge past New England, 1-0, in National Women Championship: Women Hockey Recap
New England was defeated by South team, 1-0, in the fourth day of the National Women Championship that took place, May 24, 2011 at the American University in Washington, DC.
It was another sunny day when the country’s legendary hockey players faced each other to enthral the spectators and confirm their selections into the national squad.
The game between South and New England was a cliff-hanging competition where South managed the victory only by a single goal. With the triumph, the South team succeeded to retain their winning-streak. During the first half of the play, the two squads demonstrated
their optimum defence and denied all efforts from the either side.
The New England's team started the game in a quite offensive style of play and dominated the field with the ball possession in the early minutes. However, Jackie Kintzer was at her best and made numerous saves to keep the score level. The first half action
despite very fast and furious game concluded at 0-0.
In the second half of play, the South players cranked up their offence in search of go-ahead goal. However, the opponent defenders were not sleeping and letting the game go by. On papers, the New England team dominated most part of the game and took the
ball under their control. They earned nine short corners but failed to capitalise the chances. On the other side, the South team could only obtain three penalty corners in the two halves.
After the fifty minutes of play, the South team increased the speed and started attacking against New England. Jesse Gey and her team-mate, Melanie Brill, managed to get into the defensive circle of New England, but failed to score the goal with difference
of inches. Their extensive efforts bore fruits in the 57th minute of the match when they earned another short corner and tested once again Jesse Gey. She, however, managed to past the New England's goalie through a powerful drag flick, opening
the score at 1-0.
With minutes left onto the clock, New England changed the game plan and added a mid-field player by replacing the goal-keeper, but to no avail. A short corner was awarded to New England that increased the hopes of the watchers for an equaliser, but it all
went in vain. A defending player from the South made a dive to make a crucial save and cleared it from the circle. As the time completed, New England won the game at 1-0.
After one rest-day, the play will be resumed on May 26 while the finals of the Championship will be played on May 27, 2011.
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