Furies celebrate back-to-back premierships after winning this season’s Esperance Hockey Association Women’s grand final. Photos: Greg Symes
Furies have won back-to-back Women’s premierships after defeating Mallee in a penalty shootout three goals to two in the Esperance Hockey Association grand final on Saturday.
Top of the table Mallee made the best of the early goings after a goal by Harriet Collins who swiftly converted a penalty corner to give her side the lead.
It was an even first half where both sides had chances to find a goal, Furies having the best chance as Mallee goal keeper Denise Mackenzie denied a shot by Jacqui Tonkin just before half time.
Furies attacked the Mallee goalmouth relentlessly in the final half in search of an equaliser and were rewarded five minutes from full time as Aisha Darlow scored.
The goal came after a substantial attacking move by Ruby Hodges and Tonkin finding Darlow who hit the ball past a lunging Mackenzie into the goal.
Hodges was voted as the best player on the ground as she was dynamic in the Furies midfield and a determined ball hunter forcing the play and creating several Mallee turnovers.
Mallee had two chances in the extra time period clatter into the upright of the goal from Julie Delroy and Collins, as they made all of the attacking efforts in the final part of extra time.
It was a tight penalty shootout with scores locked at two-all after four attempts each, Tiff O’Brien putting Furies on the cusp of victory, placing the ball past Mackenzie at an acute angle.
Mallee captain Sarah Wykes then missed getting a shot away in her eight allotted seconds, giving Furies the victory.
Furies players then mobbed goalkeeper Mel Wych in jubilation after umpire Sam Guest acknowledged the match was completed.
The scenes after the match were similar to last season’s grand final where Furies also won a penalty shootout victory against Condingup.
It has been described as the closest Esperance Hockey Association Women’s finals series in recent memory as three playoff matches had to be decided by penalty shootouts.
