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All the news for Monday 12 November 2018

Triumph for France in the final test

By Tyrone Barnard


IMAGE - MARCEL SIGG / RUN RIDE DIVE

On a day when the national rugby teams of France and South Africa locked horns, it was also the day of the final battle between the two National Hockey Teams. It was the final test of a well contested series in which France led 2-0 after three matches. The match was also the 100th test match for French captain Victor Charlet.

And while the series may have given many positives there will be concern for Mark Hopkins and his coaching staff with how many opportunities are being created against them. Many of the chances arise when South Africa are in possession and there is a misplaced pass or an error. Fortunately, Gowan Jones and Rassie Pieterse were in fine form and Austin Smith, Jethro Eustice and Rhett Halkett consistently pulling off quality tackles when needed. Although South Africa will be unhappy with the four penalty corners they gave away, there will be a greater sense of satisfaction that they dealt with all four well.

There will be lots of positives with the amount of chances created but a lot of focus needed on finishing. The likes of Julian Hykes, Dayaan Cassiem and Bili Ntuli will not get 30 opportunities a match in India so it’s important that they find their range quickly. The trio, along with Nic Spooner, produced some great excitement in batches during the series much to the delight of the crowd.

In terms of this test match, South Africa trailed to a 12th minute strike from Etienne Tynevez and were forced to work their socks off in the second quarter. The third quarter was arguably their best of the series as wave after wave of attack was launched with Mo Mea orchestrating things down the right side. Tyson Dlungwana, Taine Paton and Bili Ntuli featured regularly as South Africa surged forward looking for an equaliser. They were unable to find it.

The fourth quarter was a bit more balanced, but it was France who would strike the killer blow with Charles Masson the man to confirm the victory. There was time for one goal for the home crowd to get excited by and it was delivered by national captain Keenan Horne deflecting in a shot.

After the game Mo Mea shared the following thoughts; “It was a good series and it was good to be playing competitive hockey in preparation of the World cup. We have had some great improvement and we are heading in the right direction. I would just like to say to the South African public, thank you for your support!”

Ultimately the South Africans would have been happy with the week. It was a first chance for this squad to train together against a well-coached and well-structured French squad. In Jeroen Delmee the French have an astute coach and were comfortably the better side throughout a tight series. The French now have a test match against Belgium before they head to India to take on Spain, New Zealand and Argentina in Pool A.

For South Africa the players now are left to look after themselves until the 20th when they will then fly to India. South Africa take on India, Belgium and Canada in Pool B, where they will be the comfortable underdogs. What was evident from the past 8 days is that they can at least count on the support of a major majority of the South African Hockey community.

Match Gallery from Run, Ride, Dive

SA Hockey Association media release

Hockey coach finds the positives for SA

Ockert de Villiers


Dayaan Cassiem (left) in action for South Africa. Photo: @SA_Hockey_Men on twitter

JOHANNESBURG – The Proteas men’s teams’ results sheet against the French may not make for happy reading but national coach Mark Hopkins believes there is a reason for optimism ahead of the Hockey World Cup in India next month.

France wrapped up the series 3-0 on Saturday claiming a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the hosts.

A lack of funding has seen the team go into major tournaments slightly undercooked due to a lack of international competition as was the case at the Commonwealth Games.

“The guys feel this is probably the best preparation we’ve had in a long time at a major tournament,” Hopkins said.

“We’ve ticked some boxes although the results have not gone our way but process-wise we’ve made some great strides so I’m chuffed about where we are in our preparations.”

Hopkins’ positive outlook did not mean he was satisfied with his charges’ performance over in the four matches against the French.

The team made a promising start to the series when they held the French to a 2-2 draw but things went slightly off the rails in the next two matches.

They suffered a 4-1 defeat in the second match the following day with the team doing well to get into the circle but battling to get the ball into the back of the box.

The Proteas made improvements in the third encounter going down 3-1 before turning in a gutsy display in their final match on Saturday.

“I’m frustrated with some of the lessons we are not learning quick enough, we just had (Saturday) a bit of a telling off to the guys,” Hopkins said. “But I am excited about what we can do, I think we’ve shown a brand of hockey that is really exciting.

“We just need to be more ruthless in the circle you see the progression we’ve made from game one to game four in terms of circle entries and shots on goal,” he said.

Independent Online

Hockeyroos Depart To Face World’s Best At Champions Trophy

Ben Somerford



The Hockeyroos will today fly out for Changzhou, China PR, to compete at the last-ever FIH Champions Trophy against the world’s best women’s Hockey teams from 17-25 November.

World number three Australia will come up against hosts China (ranked 11th), defending champions Argentina (fourth), Olympic champions Great Britain (England ranked second), world number one Netherlands and the invited Japan (14th).

The Hockeyroos’ first Champions Trophy match is against Argentina on Saturday 17 November from 7pm (AEDT) live on FOX SPORTS' streaming app.

This Champions Trophy will be the last-ever edition of the event which has run since 1978 before next year’s introduction of the new FIH Pro League which starts in January.

The tournament will mark the Hockeyroos’ final matches for the calendar year, having finished fourth at the World Cup in August and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in April.

Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said the side was aiming to win the Champions Trophy but also expose his players with a long-term view to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“We’re certainly looking at taking a team to try to win the Champions Trophy but also with an eye on Tokyo and developing our squad,” Gaudoin said.

“We’re looking to expose some new athletes to the international arena too.”

The Hockeyroos have enjoyed a solid 10-day training block following the team announcement on 1 November where the selectors named three uncapped players in Rebecca Greiner, Greta Hayes and Penny Squibb.

The updated FIH World Rankings will be released following the Champions Trophy, while selectors will name their National Senior Women’s Squad for 2019 in December too.

Gaudoin added: “We’re trying to keep an eye on what sort of group we want to pick for next year.

“We want to identify the right athletes who’ll help us prepare for 2020. We get the opportunity to expose some new athletes.

“We need to keep evolving and developing our group.”

The Hockeyroos will take on Argentina on Thursday afternoon in a warm-up game ahead of Saturday's opener.

Hockeyroos 2018 Champions Trophy schedule (all times AEDT):

Saturday 17 November 7pm – Australia v Argentina
Sunday 18 November 5pm – Australia v Great Britain
Tuesday 20 November 5pm – Australia v Netherlands
Thursday 22 November 7pm – Australia v China
Saturday 24 November 5pm – Australia v Japan
Sunday 25 November – Finals

Hockeyroos’ 18-member Champions Trophy team:

Edwina Bone (Orange, NSW) *Plays for ACT
Lily Brazel (Sydney, NSW) *Plays for VIC
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA)
Kalindi Commerford (Mollymook, NSW) *Plays for ACT
Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) *Plays for QLD
Rebecca Greiner (Bundaberg, QLD)
Greta Hayes (Sydney, NSW)
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD)
Stephanie Kershaw (Townsville, QLD)
Rachael Lynch (Warrandyte, VIC)
Karri McMahon (Berri, SA)
Ambrosia Malone (Burleigh, QLD)
Kaitlin Nobbs (Newington, NSW)
Hayley Padget (Doncaster, VIC)
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT)
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW)
Penny Squibb (Tambellup, WA)
Ashlee Wells (Morwell, VIC) *Plays for SA

Hockey Australia media release

Warm welcome for official mascot of Men’s Hockey World Cup '18

TheHockey World Cup will be an 18-day event, which will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar

By Lalmohan Patnaik in Cuttack


Hockey fans: Olly, the official mascot of Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday. Badrika Nath Das

The official mascot of Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018, Olly, which represents Olive Ridley sea turtles, was given a lively welcome in the city on Sunday.

The sports and youth services department launched the official mascot on the Puri sea beach on October 7. Additional public relation officer Asutosh Paikray said: “The mascot reached Cuttack after travelling through ten districts.”

The mascot reached the Jawaharlal Indoor Stadium with a hockey stick and ball in his hand. He also indulged in a photo session with the inmates of the sports hostel and hockey fans.

The world cup is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 16. State health and law minister Pratap Jena, who was present on the occasion, said the mascot aimed to promote the event and raise awareness about the conservation of the endangered olive ridley turtles.

“From the games point of view, Olly symbolises the spirit of sportsmanship and encourages the participants to play the sport with complete fairness and in the right spirit,” Jena said.

District sports officer Rashmiranjan Samantaray said: “Olly will be at the Satyabrata Stadium around 7.30 am on Monday and later in the day he will visit Police High School in Tulsipur and reach DAV School at Markatnagar before leaving Cuttack.”

The hockey world cup will be an 18-day event, which will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

The Telegraph, India

Former captain Sardar Singh wants Team India to 'control midfield and keep it simple'

Shantanu Srivastava


Sardar Singh has cautioned against India's tendency to indulge in individual play. AFP/File

Bhubaneshwar: For long the livewire in the Indian midfield, former hockey skipper Sardar Singh has two simple pearls of wisdom for his ex-teammates as they look to win the elusive World Cup: Dominate the midfield, and stick to basics.

In an exclusive interaction with Firstpost, the former stalwart also warned against loose passing and indulging in individual play that allows the opposition to wrest control and score late.

“Central midfield is a very important area. Most teams put pressure in the midfield these days, so we have to watch out. Obviously, there will be mistakes, but we have to make sure those mistakes occur in the opposition’s half and not in our side of the turf. If we fumble in our half, European teams will take advantage and target our D,” Sardar said.

The former playmaker's warnings are not without reason. In the Asian Games semi-final against a lower-ranked Malaysia, India came up with their worst performance in over a year as the midfield and defence were laid open by a mix of complacency and an inexplicable loss of collective form. Sardar believes that despite a poor show, India could have won the match, but their age-old habit of allowing late goals scuppered their chances.

“I think the game against Malaysia was a collective failure. Despite playing such a poor game, we should have won the game in full-time as we were leading 2-1, but we conceded a goal in the final stages and eventually lost. We can’t afford those mistakes in World Cup,” Sardar, who was pushed into retirement on the basis of that game, said.

“Even in the Asian Champions Trophy game against Japan, we committed errors that a stronger team would have taken full advantage of. We need to know the art of killing time if we have the lead and to control counter-attacks,” he added.

In Sardar’s absence, Manpreet Singh will lead the charge in midfield, and the 32-year-old extended his support to his former protégé.

“Manpreet will be one of our most important players, along with PR Sreejesh. He keeps the team together as captain, and I particularly like his passing and the way he turns with the ball. He has the capability to split defences too, as he showed with his wonderful goal against Pakistan at the Asian Champions Trophy recently.”

This will be the 14th edition of the hockey World Cup and no Asian team has won the trophy since Pakistan, led by Shahbaz Ahmed, courted glory in Sydney in 1994. Sardar attributed the 24-year-gap to the superior levels of grassroots hockey in Europe.

“There’s a lot of difference between Asian and European hockey. Their biggest advantage is a robust domestic structure. The quality of hockey they play at club level or domestic level is almost as good as the international level. The standard of domestic hockey in our country is nowhere close to the Europeans. The gulf between our domestic hockey and international hockey is massive. While in domestic matches, we can play at a relaxed pace and practically pass wherever we want to, at the international level, you don’t get time to lift your head. The moment you get a pass, 3-4 defenders are on you. They have a very high-pressing game, and they really exert a lot of pressure on the midfield.

“Also, European nations play a lot of matches in various countries, as travelling in Europe doesn’t take much time,” he said.

At the 2018 World Cup, India are pooled with Rio Olympics silver medallists Belgium, 11th-ranked Canada, and the highest–ranked team in their continent, South Africa. The format allows a straight last-eight qualification for pool toppers while the second and third-placed teams play crossover matches. Teams finishing last in each pool get eliminated.

India’s best finish at the event since winning the trophy in 1975 is the fifth-place result at the 1994 edition. The next best show is the eighth-place finish at the 2010 edition in New Delhi, and Sardar is hopeful that the team will reach the knockout stage.

“I see the team making it to the knockouts, but our main test will start from quarter-finals. Our quarter-final match can change our entire hockey history. I think at least 14 or 15 players from the squad of 18 have to be in their top form; on a scale of 1 to 10, these 14-15 guys have to perform at the level of 7 or 8.

“Momentum holds the key in important tournaments, so our initial matches are very important. The confidence and rhythm that the team develops initially go a long way in determining the eventual result. So we have to be on top of our form and energies.”

‘Playing at home an advantage’

Bhubaneshwar is known to have among the most passionate — and knowledgeable — hockey crowds in the country, and India do have a decent record in the eastern city. India finished fourth in the 2014 Champions Trophy after losing the high-octane semi-final to Pakistan here, and secured the third position in the Hockey World League Final last year.

The refurbished Kalinga Stadium is custom-made to let the crowd’s energy flow into the playing area, and Sardar feels that home support will ensure India are never short of morale.

“Our biggest strength will be playing at home. I think this city has one of the best atmospheres to play hockey in, and I can say it after playing all over the world. The stadium is built in a way that the audience is very close to the turf, so you can feel the energy reaching you. It may also put you under extreme pressure, but if you ask me, I will derive a lot of strength from it.

“A lot of players get carried away seeing such a passionate crowd and tend to show off personal skills. The focus should be more on passing the ball and playing simple, basic hockey. We should look to pass the ball on the stick, use aerial passes and long balls when required; like I said, just stick to the basics. If our passes are slow or bumpy, we will only make things difficult for ourselves,” the former captain opined.

Hosts India open their campaign on 28 November with an evening match against South Africa.

Firstpost

Nik Aiman holding his own against more experienced forwards

By Aftar Singh

PETALING JAYA: Youngster Nik Muhd Aiman Nik Rozemi has to compete with more experienced forwards for a first-team spot in the Hockey World Cup but he’s optimistic about being selected.

The 22-year-old Terengganu-born Nik Aiman, who Nik Aiman, who scored a goal in the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat, Oman, said that he believes that national coach Roelant Oltmans has faith in him to do well at the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, from Nov 28- Dec 16.

“I’ve played consistently in tournaments and also did my part in scoring goals. I’m confident that I will be part of the team for the World Cup although there are more experienced forwards in the team,” said Nik Aiman, who has represented Malaysia for 68 times since 2015.

“I’ve played in the Junior World Cup in Lucknow, India, in 2016 and I want to feature in the senior World Cup. It is every player’s dream to play in the World Cup.”

He made his international debut in the 2015 Singapore SEA Games.

Nik Aiman featured in the Asian Games in Jakarta in August and scored three goals to help Malaysia bag the silver medal.

He said he needs to be more consistent in scoring goals in tournaments.

“I need to be sharper in the semi-circle in netting goals,” he said.

The other experienced strikers in the national team are Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil, Faizal Saari, Mohd Shahril Saabah, Muhd Firhan Ashaari and Norsyafiq Sumantri.

Faizal, also a top penalty corner drag flicker, was the top scorer in the Asian Champions Trophywith eight goals.

Coach Oltmans will name 20 players today and drop another two after the three friendly matches against New Zealand on Nov 16, 20 and 22 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

For the World Cup, Malaysia are drawn in Group D with Holland, Pakistan and Germany.

The Star of Malaysia

PHF announces date for first-ever domestic hockey league

By Nabil Tahir


PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: The planning for Pakistan’s first hockey League has been completed and the inaugural edition will be held in February next year, announced Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Sunday.

The PHF has also opened the applications and bids for the broadcasting rights of the league along with the title sponsor.

The first edition of Pakistan Hockey League (PHL) will feature six teams named on the cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Kashmir, Karachi and Lahore.

The League will be held in the format similar to Pakistan Super League (PSL). Around 30 international players will also become part of the league.

The rights of franchise structure, ticketing revenue and sponsor rights will be sold in light of the PSL format.

Companies that are interested in buying the rights will be able to submit applications from November 12. The franchises will also have to deposit $1,000 which will be non-refundable.

The inaugural edition of PHL is expected to be held in four different cities of Pakistan. Faisalabad, Gojra, Karachi and Lahore will host the event, but it all depends on the agreement of international federations to send their players to Pakistan.

The announcement came after Haier signed an MoU to become the title sponsor in all the domestic and international events till 2020. The agreement was signed on November 10 in Lahore.

On this occasion the secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) told The Express Tribune that, “The sponsorship will help the players in getting their dues clear and will also solve the financial issue in participating in the international events.”

He added that the team and the PHF has been facing financial crisis for a longer time of period now.

“Haier, which has been an active sponsor of cricket, has stepped up to help the national game. This will help us in executing the plan that has been pending due to financial issues and the first of them is PHL, which will now be held in February 2019,” he said.

The chairman of Peshawar Zalmi and the CEO of Haier, Javed Afridi, on this occasion said that, “Hockey is our national sport and we are recognised throughout the world because of it. In the past, Pakistan has won four World Cups, three Champions Trophy and are three-time Olympic Gold medallists. This is a wondrous feast for all of us as a nation.”

He added that Pakistan has enormous hockey talent and soon will climb the ranks again. “Haier Pakistan will sponsor the team and the PHF till 2020 and will remain the title sponsor for both of these entities. During this tenure, we will support them for their international events, home series and domestic events as well.”

The president of PHF, Khalid Sajjad Khokhar said, “Haier Pakistan has forwarded its support for the PHF and the national hockey team when they were in dire need. This is a step in the right direction and this will motivate youngsters to proudly participate in hockey as they will see a bright future ahead.”

The Nation

Pakistan Hockey League to be held next year

Lahore: The Pakistan Hockey League will be held in February next year.

A spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said Sunday that the inaugural edition of the PHL would feature six teams including Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Kashmir, Karachi and Lahore.

The announcement came after Haier Pakistan signed a MoU to become the title sponsors of Pakistan hockey till 2020. The agreement, with an aim to bring Pakistan hockey back to its glory, was signed on Saturday here.

Haier CEO Javed Afridi said on the occasion: “Hockey is our national sport and we are recognized throughout the world because of it. In the past, Pakistan won 4 World Cups, 3 Champions Trophy and 3 Olympics gold medal. This is a wondrous feast for all of us as a nation.”

He said that Pakistan had enormous hockey talent and it would climb the ranks again. “The PHF has opened the applications and bids for the broadcasting rights of the league along with the title sponsor,” added the spokesman.

The PHL will have the same format like the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with international players also participating in it.

The rights of franchise structure, ticketing revenue and sponsor rights will be sold in light of the PSL format.

The PHL is likely to be held in Faisalabad, Gojra, Karachi and Lahore.

The Daily Times

Lautrec Announced as Partner for U21 Trans Tasman Series



Hockey New Zealand are pleased to welcome Lautrec Consulting Engineers as a presenting partner of the U21 Trans-Tasman Series. The series is a significant event in the 2018 U21 Women’s calendar and provides the team with an opportunity to play 3 test matches versus one of the top hockey nations in the world. 

Having the support of Lautrec for the event is going to provide a positive impact on how the team is going to prepare for the series.

Juliet Hyatt-Brown Director at Lautrec says “Lautrec has been a proud supporter of provincial hockey for many years and is delighted to have this opportunity to assist our exciting and talented national age group side in their preparations to take on our traditional Trans-Tasman rivals”

Greg Nicol New Zealand U21 Women’s Coach commented “The Trans-Tasman series is a superb opportunity for our team to test ourselves on the international stage. Having the support of Lautrec is fantastic and we look forward to working with them to make this a great event”.

The U21 Hockey Trans Tasman is a new and exciting series that is going to provide an opportunity for players that have been selected for the U21 National side to test themselves against some top players from overseas.

Hockey New Zealand Media release

ROUND-UP: English Men's Hockey League

Alan Forsyth hit four goals as Surbiton secured a crucial 6-1 victory over rivals and hosts Holcombe in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Sunday.

Last season’s champions and current table toppers, Surbiton are level on 20 points with Hampstead & Westminster who battled to a 5-4 win over Brooklands MU.

Holcombe drew first blood over Surbiton with Nick Bandurak scoring from open play in the first minute, but it proved to be a false dawn with Tom Sorsby scoring after 12 minutes, and Forsyth giving Surbiton the lead from a penalty stroke in the 23rd minute.

The visitors led 4-1 at half time with David Goodfield scoring five minutes before half time and Forsyth adding his second on 34 minutes, and after the break he scored two more to seal the win.

Hampstead were made to work hard for their win by visitors Brooklands MU.

Rupert Shipperley gave them the lead after seven minutes and they were 3-1 ahead at half time with Matt Guise Brown and Josh Kelly adding further goals, while David Flanagan had scored for Brooklands MU.

Brooklands pulled level at 3-3 with Mike Shaw and Thomas Russell finding the goal.

Guise Brown gave Hampstead the lead with his second goal on 50 minutes, and although Russell Anderson brought it level at 4-4 from a 52nd minute penalty corner , Sam French scored five minutes later to help Hampstead & Westminster to victory.

Elsewhere, the University of Exeter took their maiden win of the league so far with a 3-2 victory over Sevenoaks, who they leapfrog on the back of the win.

Brothers George and James Carson both scored as well as Ben Cooke, while Ali Taylor and Ton Chandler scored for Sevenoaks.

Losing 3-0 at half time, East Grinstead hit back to win 4-3 over Wimbledon with their goals coming from Tony Wilson, Simon Faulkner, Ross Stott and Rory Patterson. Wimbledon’s scorers were Gordon McIntyre, Eugene Malthouse and Ed Horler.

Elliot Hibell’s 25th minute goal had put Beeston ahead against Reading, but the visitors scored through Max Heaver in the 62nd minute to ensure the match was drawn 1-1.

Men’s Conference West

Olton & West Warwicks closed the gap to one point on Men’s Conference West league leaders University of Birmingham with a ruthless home display against struggling Isca.

The hosts won 5-1 with Steve Batten scoring a hat-trick of field goals.

Leaders University of Birmingham faced a tough challenge away to Cardiff & Met where they battled out a 2-2 draw.

Havant seized an opportunity from that game and leapfrogged Cardiff & Met into third spot after beating Team Bath Buccaneers 2-1 thanks to Akhtar Ali and Charlie Stubbings.

Elsewhere, Fareham held on to beat Chichester 4-3 away from home whilst Oxford Hawks came away with a 3-2 victory over University of Bristol.

Men’s Conference East

Conference East leaders Old Georgians produced an emphatic performance, condemning Cambridge City to an 8-2 defeat.

Nick Cooper, James Tindall and Tom Doran all scored a double in the rout to uphold their unbeaten start and extend their lead to four points.

Their closest rivals in the title race Oxted fell to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Southgate thanks to a hat trick from John Sterlini.

Canterbury kept themselves in with a shout of promotion by beating bottom of the table Richmond 3-2 away from home.

Teddington and City of Peterborough couldn’t be separated in a 2-2 draw to remain sixth and seventh, and Brighton & Hove and Old Loughtonians also settled for a 2-2 draw in their fixture.

Men’s Conference North

A Ben White treble ensured leaders Bowdon would maintain their impressive start in the Men’s Conference North, running out 4-1 victors over Loughborough Students.

Sheffield Hallam secured a 2-1 win against strugglers Belper on Saturday evening with goals from Akshay Ahitan and Billy Root, while a goal in the final seconds from Ben Stevenson was just enough for the University of Nottingham to take a 1-0 win at Leeds and maintain their push for the top of the table.

Elsewhere, the University of Durham remain level with the University of Nottingham after a 5-2 win at Alderley Edge, while Doncaster battled back from a half time deficit to win 3-2 at Preston.

RESULTS

Men’s Hockey League

Premier Division: Beeston 1, Reading 1; East Grinstead 4, Wimbledon 3; Hampstead & Westminster 5, Brooklands MU 4; Holcombe 1, Surbiton 6; University of Exeter 3, Sevenoaks 2.

Conference West: Cardiff & Met 2, University of Birmingham 2; Chichester 3, Fareham 4; Olton & West Warwicks 5, Isca 1; Oxford Hawks 3, University of Bristol 2; Team Bath Buccaneers 1, Havant 2.

Conference East: Brighton & Hove 2, Old Loughtonians 2; Old Georgians 8, Cambridge City 2; Richmond 2, Canterbury 3; Southgate 3, Oxted 1; Teddington 2, City of Peterborough 2.

Conference North: Alderley Edge 2, University of Durham 5; Bowdon 4, Loughborough Students 1; Leeds 0, University of Nottingham 1; Preston 2, Doncaster 3; Sheffield Hallam 2, Belper 1.

England Hockey Board Media release

Forsyth to the four as Surbiton crush rivals Holcombe



Alan Forsyth hit four goals as Surbiton secured a crucial 6-1 victory over rivals and hosts Holcombe in the English Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Sunday.

Last season’s champions and current table toppers, Surbiton are level on 20 points with Hampstead & Westminster who battled to a 5-4 win over Brooklands MU.

Holcombe drew first blood over Surbiton with Nick Bandurak scoring from open play in the first minute, but it proved to be a false dawn with Tom Sorsby scoring after 12 minutes, and Forsyth giving Surbiton the lead from a penalty stroke in the 23rd minute.

The visitors led 4-1 at halftime with David Goodfield scoring five minutes before the break and Forsyth adding his second on 34 minutes and after the interval, he scored two more to seal the win.

Hampstead were made to work hard for their win by visitors Brooklands MU. Rupert Shipperley gave them the lead after seven minutes and they were 3-1 ahead at halftime with Matt Guise-Brown and Josh Kelly adding further goals, while David Flanagan had scored for Brooklands MU.

Brooklands pulled level at 3-3 with Mike Shaw and Thomas Russell finding the goal. Guise Brown gave Hampstead the lead with his second goal on 50 minutes, and although Russell Anderson brought it level at 4-4 from a 52nd-minute penalty corner, Sam French scored five minutes later to help Hampstead & Westminster to victory.

Elsewhere, losing 3-0 at halftime, East Grinstead hit back to win 4-3 over Wimbledon with their goals coming from Tony Wilson, Simon Faulkner, Ross Stott and Rory Patterson. Wimbledon’s scorers were Gordon McIntyre, Eugene Malthouse and Ed Horler.

Elliot Hibell’s 25th minute goal had put Beeston ahead against Reading, but the visitors scored through Max Heaver in the 62nd minute to ensure the match was drawn 1-1.

Euro Hockey League media release

Irish Mens EY Hockey League Weekend Round Up

With Ireland’s senior men in Belgium continuing their World Cup preparations, just two men’s EY Hockey League matches were on the agenda with Glenanne and Pembroke making big moves.

The Glens, the reigning league champions, moved into top spot on goal difference courtesy of a 3-1 win over Annadale.

A trio of penalty corner drag-flicks did the damage. Shannon Boucher opened up the scoring in the fifth minute as his shot deceived Jonny Moore. Ryan Burgess continued his fine run of form to tie the game at 1-1 but second half strikes from Cedric Jakobi and Boucher ensured they had a little breathing room at the end.

Pembroke produced a remarkable comeback to break Cookstown hearts, coming back from 2-0 down to win at Steelweld Park by the odd goal in five.

Cookstown had a super start, Michael Kerr fizzing in a corner before Greg Allen volleyed in the second. Stephen Sweetnam gave Pembroke a lifeline before Greg Chambers squeezed in the second before Cian Murphy finished off a counter to win the game 3-2.

The win moves Pembroke up to third place in the table and they can move into a share at the top with Glenanne and Banbridge should they win against YMCA next weekend in the only game on the agenda.

Only one other EYHL tie is scheduled to be played before Christmas, the meeting of Cork C of I and Annadale on December 1st due to the World Cup.
 
EY Hockey League: Glenanne 3 (S Boucher 2, C Jakobi) Annadale 1 (R Burgess); Cookstown 2 (M Kerr, G Allen) Pembroke 3 (S Sweetnam, G Chambers, C Murphy)
 
Cookstown 2 (M Kerr, G Allen) Pembroke 3 (S Sweetnam, G Chambers, C Murphy)

Pembroke produced a remarkable comeback to break Cookstown hearts, coming back from 2-0 down to win at Steelweld Park by the odd goal in five.

The Reds got off to a flying start and Pembroke gave away a penalty stroke when they fouled Michael Kerr as he was about to put it over the line. Unfortunately Keith Black’s stroke was stopped by the Pembroke goalie Simon Thornton.

However, soon Cookstown found themselves 1-0 up. Scotty McCabe won a short corner which Kerr put away with a great flick. It got even better a few minutes later when a monster flick by Jack Haycock was touched over the line by Greg Allen.

Pembroke got back into the game in the second quarter winning a series of short corners. A great run and ineffectual tackling allowed Pembroke’s Stephen Sweetnam to make it 2-1 going into half time after Cian Murphy’s tight skills opened the chance.

The Dubliners drew level in the second half when Greg Chambers got the ball to the baseline, squeezing it goalwards. Somehow it contrived to find a way over the line.
Pembroke were in the ascendancy throughout the third quarter and went ahead  Cian Murphy tapped in at the back post for 3-2 from a quick counter, Tim Hill laying on the pass.

Cookstown pressed in the fourth quarter and won five shorts in quick succession but couldn’t get the breakthrough to get something from the game.

“This was incredibly disappointing,” said Reds captain, Greg Allen. “We did so well to get into a great position and go 2-0 up. Pembroke played well in that third quarter but their third goal really knocked the stuffing out of us.

“Although we didn’t manage to get a goal in the fourth quarter I was really proud how our guys picked ourselves up and were able to take the game to Pembroke again. That’s the spirit I like to see.”
 
Glenanne 3 (S Boucher 2, C Jakobi) Annadale 1 (R Burgess)

Glenanne moved top on goal difference of the men’s EY Hockey League as they beat Annadale for the second time this season with a 3-1 success. Shannon Boucher was on the mark twice, scoring his first with a slightly miscued drag-flick in the fifth minute which deceived Johnny Moore.

The Dale keeper was forced into a series of immaculate saves in the second quarter to keep the game tight and they got back level from a corner when Ryan Burgess continued his hot scoring streak – adding to two midweek Kirk Cup goals – as he whipped home by Iain Walker for 1-1 at half-time.

The lead was restored in the second quarter via Cedric Jakobi down the glove side in the third quarter and Boucher made it a trio of goals from corners early in the fourth quarter to win the day.

Irish Hockey Association media release

Irish Womens EY Hockey League Weekend Round Up

Loreto and Pegasus went stride for stride at the top of the women’s EY Hockey League as they recorded hard fought wins over Old Alex and Cork Harlequins, respectively, on Saturday on day six of the competition.

For Loreto, they trailed at half-time against Alex to an early Emma Russell goal but World Cup stars Hannah Matthews and Ali Meeke both scored for the second week running to nick a 2-1 win result.

Pegasus were forced to soak up a huge amount of pressure in Cork but two early Taite Doherty goals put them on course for a 4-2 success. Cliodhna Sargent pulled one back from the penalty spot but Shirley McCay made it 3-1 in similar style.

Emily O’Leary popped home Quins second of the day with still over half an hour to play but player of the match Alex Speers won it with some superb close-in skills with 12 minutes to go.

UCD moved back up to third place with a 3-1 win over Pembroke. First half goals from Michelle Carey and Nina Heisterkamp set them rolling before Pembroke pushed them back in the third quarter, Sinead Loughran making 2-1.

However, Leah McGuire was having an excellent game in the UCD defence and she crowned the win with a penalty corner strike.

That win saw them jump ahead of Belfast Harlequins who had beaten Ards 3-1 in midweek to move into the top three as Jenny McAuley and Lizzie Colvin scored in the last five minutes.

Railway Union put daylight between themselves and the relegation placed with a 2-0 win over Muckross. Hannah de Burgh Whyte’s eighth minute corner put them in front early on before Katie Fearson sealed the points, bundling home Kate Lloyd’s cross in the second half.

EY Hockey League

Wednesday: Belfast Harlequins 3 (J Watt, J McAuley, L Colvin) Ards 1 (C Adams)

Saturday: Cork Harlequins 2 (C Sargent, E O’Leary) Pegasus 4 (T Doherty 2, A Speers, S McCay); Muckross 0 Railway Union 2 (H de Burgh Whyte, K Fearon); Old Alexandra 1 (E Russell) Loreto 2 (A Meeke, H Matthews); UCD 3 (M Carey, N Heisterkamp, L McGuire) Pembroke 1 (S Loughran)

Next Saturday’s fixtures (November 17): Cork Harlequins v Muckross, 1.05pm, Farmers’ Cross; Ards v Pembroke, 2.30pm, Londonderry Park; Loreto v Belfast Harlequins, 2.50pm, Three Rock Rovers; UCD v Railway Union, 2.50pm, Belfield; Pegasus v Old Alex, 4pm, Queens

Day six extended reports

Wednesday

Belfast Harlequins 3 (J Watt, J McAuley, L Colvin) Ards 1 (C Adams)

Belfast Harlequins moved into the top three on Wednesday night in their game brought forward from the weekend against Ards, putting them within one point of the leading duo.

Jenna Watt opened the scoring when Lizzie Colvin turned over possession at the head of the circle, setting up the forward who has recently been invited to train with the national squad.

Caroline Adams levelled from a well struck early in the second half but Quins went for broke, swapping out goalkeeper Marianne Fox for the last eight minutes and it paid instant dividends.

They netted twice in the last five minutes to win it 3-1. Jenny McAuley lifted over Naomi McKnight after a scrap in the circle and Colvin’s straight corner strike at an awkward height was the ball game.

Saturday

Cork Harlequins 2 (C Sargent, E O’Leary) Pegasus 4 (T Doherty 2, A Speers, S McCay)

Pegasus overcame a serious amount of pressure to pick off their chances when they came to beat Cork Harlequins 4-2 at Farmers’ Cross, making it five wins from six to date in the EY Hockey League. The hosts – who welcomed back Rebecca Barry to the fold – had vast swathes of possession and more corners but could not make it tell on the scoreboard.

The Ulster side went in front when Alex Speers, a crucial figure throughout, robbed a loose clearance on the 23-metre line and exchanged quick passes with Taite Doherty who finished wlel.

It became 2-0 from Quins’ second penalty corner which was blocked and instantly fired all the way up the right sideline where it broke to Kate Gourley. She laid off to Doherty to tap into an unguarded net.

Ruth Maguire went agonisingly close to a third from a corner but it was Quins who were making most of the play. And they got one back from the penalty spot when a series of corners ended with a shot hitting Pamela Glass’s leg on the line. Cliodhna Sargent sent Megan Todd the wrong way for 2-1.

Pegs restored the two-goal advantage at half-time in similar fashion when a corner shot hit a foot on the line, Shirley McCay dispatching this one. There was still over half an hour to play, though, when an Yvonne O’Byrne shot bobbled all the way to Emily O’Leary at the back post, gobbling up the chance at the second attempt for 3-2.

Quins bossed the third quarter as Pegasus – who travelled with just 12 players – sat deep and they were initially awarded a stroke only to see the decision overturned for a free out. Todd saved brilliantly from O’Byrne to keep Pegs’ noses in front and they won the day when Speers produced some wonderful close skills with 12 minutes to go before slipping in the clincher.

Muckross 0 Railway Union 2 (H de Burgh Whyte, K Fearon)

Railway Union won their Dublin 4 derby to give them some breathing room from the relegation places as Muckross wait for their first win at this level continues.

The Marlborough Road hosts started well with Sophie Barnwell set through one on one but Carolyn Cramption snuffed out the chance. Railway, meanwhile, nailed their first chance as Hannah de Burgh Whyte scored a low drag-flick for 1-0 in the eighth minute.

It remained that way through an even first half with Muckross finding the net from a Laura Hanlon corner sweep from the injector spot but the effort did not stand as it went over the backboard.

Railway moved further ahead despite Niamh Sweeney’s yellow card as they took a quick free to cut loose with Sarah Hawkshaw battling her way through in midfield. She spread the play out to Kate Lloyd whose pass picked out the arriving Katie Fearon to bundle in under pressure for 2-0. Railway had a couple more corners in the closing quarter and a yellow for the returning Anna May Whelan but they closed out the tie for their first win since the opening day of the campaign.

“We competed really well and were certainly unlucky with some of the chances we had,” Muckross coach Sarah Scott said afterwards.

As the game went on, Railway got a grip on the game but we fought back and could have equalised. We are getting there and definitely improving game by game. We are very young as everyone knows but we have a huge amount of talent and are really looking forward to our game away against Harlequins.”

Old Alexandra 1 (E Russell) Loreto 2 (A Meeke, H Matthews)

Two goals in a four-minute spell after half-time from World Cup stars Ali Meeke and Hannah Matthews saw Loreto maintain their winning streak, overturning a 1-0 half-time deficit at Milltown.

Emma Russell had continued Alex’s regular run of early goals when she netted just a few minutes in from the top of the circle. Aine Connery hit the outside of the goal while Loreto won a couple of corners but could not glean anything from them in a lively first quarter.

Alex also hit the post in the second period before Loreto upped their tempo with Matthews picking passes and Sarah Torrans looking dangerous. They got level in the 42nd minute when Sarah Clarke’s pc smash was guided into the roof of the net by Meeke for 1-1.

And they went ahead soon after from their next corner, a baseline smack after she injected the penalty corner. Connery won a couple of corners before the end of the third quarter but they did not come to anything before Alex had some driving attacks in the last period – swapping out goalkeeper Pam Smithwick for a time – but Matthews played a key role in dampening the momentum.

“We’re disappointed. We could have taken something from it,” Old Alex coach Scott Lowrie said afterwards. “Like the UCD game, we have given them a challenge but haven’t taken what we deserved. We are quite disappointed but we knew we can challenge and any team that comes here, they know they are going to get a game.

“We have Pegasus next week and Belfast Harlequins the week after and we are targetting six points because we have proven we can challenge the best; now we just need to take points off them.”

UCD 3 (M Carey, N Heisterkamp, L McGuire) Pembroke 1 (S Loughran)

UCD moved back into third place with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Pembroke to make it four wins from six to date. They did so without the services of Abbie Russell and Hannah McLoughlin while Pembroke were shy Aisling Naughton and Sorcha Clarke.

It was all Pembroke in the first quarter until UCD plundered something from nothing, Michelle Carey rebounding after Ellen Curran’s shot fell her way, applying a lovely finish.

That settled the students and they doubled their advantage in the second quarter in delightful fashion, Anna Richardson intercepting in midfield, playing it to Niamh Carey who worked the ball to Nina Heisterkamp who made no mistake.

Ava Beatty went very close to a third in the final throes of the half but Pembroke hit back after the big break with Laura Noble finding Sinead Loughran at the back post to half the deficit.

They forced UCD to do a lot of defending with Leah McGuire making numerous interventions and, at the far end, she added to her performance with their third goal, nailing a corner strike for 3-1.

Noble almost snuck in a second for Pembroke with Orla Macken powering them forward in a tireless performance but UCD kept it out to record the victory.

Irish Hockey Association media release

Loreto fight back to defeat Old Alexandra in Hockey League

Pegasus return to winning ways with victory over Cork Harlequins while UCD beat Pembroke Wanderers

Mary Hannigan


Hannah Matthews sealed the points for Loreto when she scored from a penalty corner against Old Alexandra. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
 
There’s no change at the top of the Hockey League after Loreto, Pegasus and UCD all picked up wins on Saturday, five of the bottom six sides losing their latest fixtures in the competition with Ards and Muckross now adrift on one point each at the bottom of the table.

Having kept four clean sheets in their previous five games Loreto’s defence was breached by Emma Russell after just three minutes of their meeting with Old Alexandra, but Ali Meeke levelled for the leaders from play before her international team-mate Hannah Matthews sealed the points when she scored from a penalty corner.

Pegasus, beaten by Loreto the previous weekend, returned to winning ways with a 4-2 defeat of Cork Harlequins at Farmer’s Cross, Taite Doherty putting the visitors 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes. They were both fine goals too, the first following a lovely exchange of passes between Doherty, Alex Speers and Kate Gourley, the second starting with Shirley McCay’s hit-out which found Speers on the right, her first time pass putting Gourley through, Doherty tapping home after Gourley set her up.

Penalty

Cliodhna Sargent pulled a goal back for the home side from a penalty stroke but McCay restored the Belfast side’s two-goal advantage just before half-time with another stroke. An unmarked Emily O’Leary turned home Yvonne O’Byrne’s long pass from the right to bring it back to 2-3, but with six minutes to go Speers ended Harlequins’ resistance when she weaved her way through the home defence and slotted the ball past Lorna Bateman.

Back in Dublin, Pembroke Wanderers had the better of the opening stages of their game against UCD but, against the run of the play, the students took a first-quarter lead through Michelle Carey. It was Niamh Carey who created the opening for Nina Heisterkamp to make it 2-0 before half-time, Leah McGuire adding UCD’s third after Sinead Loughran had pulled one back for Pembroke.

Railway Union, meanwhile, picked up their second win of the season with a first-quarter Hannah de Burgh Whyte strike from a penalty corner before Katie Fearon finished off of a second-half counter-attack to give them the points against Muckross.

Hockey League – Saturday:

Cork Harlequins 2 (C Sargent, E O’Leary), Pegasus 4 (T Doherty 2, S McCay, A Speers);

Old Alexandra 1 (E Russell), Loreto 2 (A Meeke, H Matthews);

UCD 3 (M Carey, N Heisterkamp, L McGuire), Pembroke Wanderers 1 (S Loughran);

Muckross 0, Railway Union 2 (H de Burgh Whyte, K Fearon).

The Irish Times

League leaders strengthen positions at the top of the tables



Grange strengthened their position at the top of Scottish Men’s National League 1 with their seventh victory to add pressure on the chasing teams. Cammy Fraser put Grange ahead in the tenth minute from a deft penalty corner move in the first half but that was all that separated the teams.

Dan Coultas fired in Grange’s second, also from a penalty corner shortly after the restart, and that put Grange firmly in the driving seat. A third goal by Robbie Shepperdson effectively secured the points despite a late consolation by Kelburne.

That defeat leaves Kelburne in the relegation playoff places but it would not take much to turn that round as their team rebuilding continues.

All three teams tying for second place on points recorded victories but Grove Menzieshill benefited most in terms of goal difference with their 7-0 defeat of Gordonians. Doubles for Cammy Golden, Aidan McQuade and single for Gav Tomlinson, Jamie Carnegie and Albert Rowling proved too good for the Aberdeen team.

Western Wildcats are third in the table as a result of their narrower 2-0 win over Clydesdale. Andrew McConnell’s effort made it to the top for the opener, then a second half Matt McGinley special sealed the win. Clydesdale piled on the pressure, but it was a hard earned victory for the Wildcats in the end.

Hillhead are making a great bid for a top four finish and led Watsonians by a single goal by Callum Duke having been temporarily reduced to ten players and under great pressure from the Edinburgh team.  The second half was also very evenly contested with both teams having their share of chances.  There were no further goals and Hillhead held on for a 1-0 win.  They are fourth but with two games more played that the other two on 18 points.

Edinburgh University moved into fifth place with a 3-1 win over Uddingston.  A solitary Brad Hughes goal was insufficient for Uddingston as the students moved above Uddingston.

Edinburgh University retained the lead in Women’s National League 1 with a win over Glasgow University who are firmly in the relegation playoff places. Three first half goals by Hanna Mckie, Sophie Maunder and Ella Watt proved just too much for Glasgow, even though the second half was goalless.

Clydesdale Western’s win by the odd goal in three over western Wildcats saw the two change places with Clydesdale now second, three points behind Edinburgh University.

Grove Menzieshill surprised Dundee Wanderers with an opening goal by Ellie Stott in the fifth minute and they looked the better team for the first quarter.  But Wanderers were sharp on the break and that proved effective when Heather Elder reacted quickly to a shot at goal which rebounded from a Grove Menzieshill defender.

Grove Menzieshill responded well and took the lead four minutes before half time through Katie Robertson with a reverse shot.  The second half was a mirror of the first with a 3-3 result probably a fair outcome.  Wanderers retain fourth place and Grove Menzieshill remain sixth.

Meanwhile Hillhead and Watsonians battled out a close goalless draw at Upper Windyedge, and it was a 1-1 draw in Edinburgh between Grange and GHK – a good away point for GHK.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Telkom hammer Vikings to retain women title

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Telkom player Caroline Guchu(l) with the ball as JKUAT Mariam Ngugi keep close chase. (Jenipher Wachie, Standard)

Hockey queens, Telkom, eased to a record 21st Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s Premier League title with an emphatic 7-0 win over Vikings at the weekend.

A brace from Anne Juma and Barbara Simiyu and a goal each from Jackline Mwangi, Terry Juma and Audrey Omaido extended Telkom’s reign in Kenya women’s hockey league with a match in hand.

With the victory, the former African champions were home and dry as not even second-placed Strathmore University Scorpions, who they play in their last league tie, can dethrone them.

Telkom top the standings with 33 points and a match in hand while arch-rivals Scorpions have 24 points with three matches to play.

Not even a loss to Strathmore in their last encounter will deny them their 21st title.

Telkom coach Jos Openda said that having achieved their first objective of the season they will intensify their preparations for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Club Championships.

“We have achieved one goal and now we are focused on the bigger challenge next month. We have used league matches to prepare for continental assignments and this time is not different,” Openda said.

While Telkom celebrate their 21st league trophy, Vikings will be going back to the drawing board on how to regain their spot in the women’s top tier. Vikings had a tough season finishing at the bottom without a victory and with one point.

In the men’s Premier League, Western Jaguars revived their hopes of surving relegation with a 2-1 victory against 2012 champions Nairobi Sikh Union.

Western Jaguars, however, remain stuck at the bottom of the standings with 18 points despite the win.

In another Premier League encounter, Parkroad Badgers moved away from the relegation zone following their 3-1 win over third-placed Greensharks. Gordon Oduor, Brian Mwangi and Nicholas Mwangi scored for Parkroad while Chris Muchwanju netted Sharks’ consolation goal.

Debutants Bungoma Farmers were top gainers as they registered double victory in the men’s National League. Farmers edged Wazalendo Youth and Gorilla by an identical score of 1-0 to bag maximum points at City Park.

Daily Nation

Maryland field hockey advances to Final Four with 2-1 OT win over UConn

Madison Maguire scored the winner about seven minutes into overtime.

By Lila Bromberg


Forward Bibi Donraadt battles for the ball during Maryland field hockey’s match against UConn at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex on Nov. 11, 2018. (Andi Wenck/The Diamondback)

Maryland field hockey players rushed the field to surround midfielder Madison Maguire after her overtime goal in the NCAA quarterfinals against UConn.

Before Maguire’s score, the Huskies had the two best chances of the extra period. Defender Hannah Bond made a goal-line clearance to keep the Terps alive, and UConn forward Svea Boker swung and missed with a one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Sarah Holliday.

Last year, the Huskies cut Maryland’s improbable NCAA tournament run one win short of the national title, beating the Terps 2-1 in the championship game.

But Bond’s diving effort, Boker’s missed opportunity and Maguire’s score shortly after meant the Terps avenged that heartbreaking loss Sunday, avoiding an upset loss and ending the Huskies hopes of repeating as national champions by knocking them off in overtime, 2-1.

“This matchup was really intense,” goalkeeper Sarah Holliday said. “Something that we’ve talked about is [that] every game is a national championship game. Even if we’re not in Louisville, even if that’s not technically the round, everything we do is for a national championship.”

With the win, the Terps advance to their 19th final four in program history, which takes place next weekend in Louisville. Maryland will face Princeton with the hopes of advancing to its second consecutive national championship.

The defenses dominated early in Sunday’s quarterfinal, with both squads battling for possession near midfield. Maryland had two scoring chances in the first six minutes and had the edge in shots for much of the first half, but UConn scored the first goal in the 24th minute.

The Terps responded quickly. About three minutes later, defender Bodil Keus sent a hard pass deep into the circle from near midfield, and forward Bibi Donraadt was waiting at the post to tap it in.

UConn had the better chances in the second half, stifling Maryland’s offense and winning the shot battle, 6-2, after halftime. The Terps earned just one penalty corner all afternoon, and failed to convert the 69th-minute chance.

Coach Missy Meharg said after the game that UConn was a team with the talent for the final four that perhaps deserved a better draw than the No. 2-seed Terps.

“UConn is a great team. They have a great defensive three backs and goalie,” Maguire said. “You keep pushing and keep just pounding on the defense.”

Maryland’s defense, meanwhile, held the second-ranked offense in the country to 11 shots and one goal Sunday. UConn midfielder Cecile Piper, who ranks third in the NCAA in points (58) and tied for sixth in goals (23), had just one shot on goal, which Holliday saved.

UConn couldn’t finish any of its five corners.

Then, in overtime, the Huskies didn’t convert their chances at a winner, and Maryland made them pay. About seven minutes into overtime, Maguire received a pass near the top of the circle, spun and fired home the game-winning goal, and her teammates spilled onto the field with their national title aspirations still intact.

“So happy for our team and our staff to be going back to the final four,” Meharg said. “We played with real fight and vigilance. … We’re just looking forward to getting back down to Louisville.”

The Diamondback