Tight morning at West Wave for U20 Women

Canberra Academy take on Waikato

An early start for these two teams this morning didn't stop them from both starting strongly. M. Taylor opened the scoring for Canberra, then Waikato's C. McKell said she could do the same down the other end. A goal more for each team saw the first quarter round out at 2 all.

A quiet second quarter saw two exclusions, as well as one goal from Canberra's L. Brennan bump her team ahead 3-2 heading into the second half.

Canberra's M. Taylor threw a beautiful penalty shot in the 3rd quarter, and another goal from L. Brennan in their last possession of the quarter saw them with a 3 goal lead with one quarter to play.

A more promising quarter from Waikato with two goals from Holly Jonson couldn't make up for their silent middle half.

Canberra took their first win of the tournament, 8 goals to Waikato's 4. Canberra now look forward to their game against Marist Under 20 Women this evening.


Marist showdown vs. AUS Gold

Marist and Australian supporters knew they were in for a winner at West Wave this morning - with both teams having been undefeated thus far in the tournament.

Marist showed they've put in the hard yards at training - executing a beautiful 6 on 5 to let Rachel Monkhouse take the honour of scoring first. Jordan Milicich-Misikini bulstered Marist's score with two centre-forward goals, whilst AUS Gold's M. Williams and A. Williams scored one each. First quarter score 3-2.

H. McWilliam created a 'William trifecta' for AUS early in the second to equal the scores. Marist goalkeeper Jess Milicich saved two penalties to save a potential surge from the Australians, with E. Jones scoring in the last 11 seconds of the half to head into the second half with the lead, Marist 4 to AUS Gold's 5.

Marist failed to capitalise on three 6 on 5 opportunities as well as a time out, questioning their game fitness in the third quarter. This was squandered however as they kept AUS scoreless also - the scoreline remaining at 4-5.

A recollection in the quarter break saw Marist's Ricci Ferigo score a quick goal in a 6 on 5 attack. Charlotte Valentine was excluded but Marist managed to keep AUS Gold at bay - then Valentine made up for her foul down the other end - scoring a goal to push Marist out to a 6-5 lead. A. and M. Williams managed to quickly score another each to swing the lead in AUS Gold's favour, 6-7. A time out from Marist coach Jono Ware, let Ricci Ferigo net another - bringing the game to a draw with 44 seconds left on the clock.

AUS Gold couldn't manage to get another past Marist goalie Jess Milicich, giving Marist an opportunity to take the game. Another time out for Marist and the girls took to the pool. The Australian pressure was too much for the Marist goals - the final whistle marking another draw in the Under 20 Women's Division.

"They're quite a fit team, and most of us haven't been training that much so it was difficult but we kept fighting." said Marist's Ricci Ferigo.

This is now the fourth draw in the Under 20 Women's Division.

"It just means we have to win all our games from here on in - tonight against Canberra we have to play well and get lots of goals against them. It's a very tight tournament." said Ferigo.