News for 06 April 2021
All the news for Tuesday 6 April 2021
Brilliant Bloemendaal storm to record-breaking fourth EHL Men’s title
EHL Men’s GRAND FINAL
HC Bloemendaal 5 (T Brinkman 2, Y van der Drift, F Fuchs, T Swaen) Atlètic Terrassa 2 (P Cunill, J Bonastre)
HC Bloemendaal won the famous Alain Danet Trophy for the fourth time as their star-laden side proved too strong for Atlètic Terrassa 5-2 in the Wagener Stadium.
The likes of Arthur van Doren and Thierry Brinkman were in immaculate form throughout as the Dutch side blasted into an early 2-0 lead. Atlèti got one back inside the first 10 minutes but further strikes from Florian Fuchs, Thierry Brinkman and Tim Swaen saw them pull away.
Reflecting on the success, Thierry Brinkman said: “Amazing day. We played a pretty good game. Without a crowd, it’s all a bit weird but it’s still the same title of three years ago so we are very happy! We’ve trained so hard for it this year and it is still possible for us to win two prizes with the Dutch championships.
“Entertaining hockey is what we want to show people in the stadium, normally, and now on tv. We had some nice combinations, nice goals. It was a really nice performance from us.”
While the Catalan club were second best, they can reflect on a famous weekend in which they reached the EHL Men’s GRAND FINAL for the first time.
For de mussen, it makes them the most decorated side in EHL history, overtaking UHC Hamburg, as they became the first club to win four EHL titles.
Indeed, their record is frightening, only losing one match in normal time in their EHL history with all of their eliminations – other than 2012 – coming via shoot-outs.
They duly tore into this finals with a 2-0 lead inside the first five minutes. Yannick van der Drift got the first when he picked up Jasper Brinkman’s right-wing cross and turned sharply to shoot home.
The next came from a simple set move in the left corner, a free worked back to Florian Fuchs who whipped the ball into the middle where a near post touch allowed Thierry Brinkman to steal in at the back post and pop into an empty net.
Any thoughts Atlètic would lay down were quickly repelled as Pau Cunill – the tournament’s Cinderella story, from second team in November to club hero by April – crashed home his third penalty corner of the weekend.
It came amid a brief snowstorm had the ball-boys seeking yellow alternatives to keep the game going.
Bloemendaal, though, brewed up another storm of their own in the early minutes of the second quarter and restored their two-goal gap in the 16th minute, this time from a corner.
It was a wild one, Tim Swaen’s drag-flick being parried high into the air by the busy and impressive Marc Calzada. Jorrit Croon kept his eye on it and batted it back down into the turf to the waiting Fuchs who volleyed in.
While the Dutch club were generally on top in this phase, the next two big chances went Atlèti’s way with Maurits Visser brilliantly denying Quim Malgosa with a mid-circle touch while Jordi Bonastre’s chip and volley went centimetres wide.
Atlètic they started the second half with passion and drive, winning two corners inside the first 30 seconds. Bloemendaal, however, charged both down to hold tight.
As time wore on, things got feisty with Albert Beltran, Joan Tarres and Jorrit Croon all receiving yellow cards. When Bloemendaal had a player extra, they used it perfectly, working the ball around their platform to the left baseline to Thierry Brinkman who was all alone with time to spin the ball around Calzada.
It killed off the Atlèti chances as the Dutch masters closed out the game well. Thierry Brinkman won a stroke with 10 minutes to go from which Tim Swaen added an emphatic fifth goal.
Jordi Bonastre got one back in the last two minutes when his slap went in off a combination of Bloemendaal defenders, the last touch via Daan Dullemeijer’s face.
Atlètic Terrassa: M Calzada, S Enrique, J Malgosa, J Bonastre, M Bolto, A Beltran, M Escude, M Salles, I Torras, P Cunill, J Tarres
Subs: N Escude, S Cortes, M Vizcaino, J Malgosa, J Dalmases, S Ibanez, J Monzo
HC Bloemendaal: M Visser, A van Doren, T Swaen, T Brinkman, Y van der Drift, J Croon, G Schuurman, J Brinkman, W Jolie, T Hiebendaal, F Fuchs
Subs: D Dullemeijer, S Figge, M van Grimbergen, C van Dijk, C van den Veen, S Hemmes, R Schrijvers van Zenden
Umpires: C van Bunge (NED), B Goentgen (GER)
Euro Hockey League media release
Bloemendaal lift record fourth Euro Hockey League title
By Rod Gilmour
More Dutch club success at European level PIC; EHL
Bloemendaal’s Thierry Brinkman says the Dutch giants are now gunning for a domestic-Euro double after blitzing to a record fourth EHL title on Easter Monday.
Bloemendaal became the first side to win four European showpiece crowns as they beat first time finalists Atlètic Terrassa at the Wagener Stadium.
They also eased to their second Euro Hockey League title in the last three editions after a 5-2 win over the Spanish outfit, playing their first major final.
“We played a pretty good game,” said Brinkman. “Without a crowd, it’s all a bit weird but it’s still the same title of three years ago so we are very happy.
“We’ve trained so hard for it this year and it is still possible for us to win two prizes with the Dutch championships.
“Entertaining hockey is what we want to show people in the stadium, normally, and now on TV. We had some nice combinations, nice goals. It was a really nice performance from us.”
The likes of Arthur van Doren – adding yet another title success to his growing palmarès with club and country – and Brinkman were in immaculate form throughout as the Dutch side blasted into an early 2-0 lead.
Atlèti got one back inside the first 10 minutes but further strikes from Florian Fuchs, Brinkman and Tim Swaen saw them pull away.
In what proved to be a Dutch double, Den Bosch then followed up their male compatriots with a sublime showing to become the first EHL Women’s winners, seeing off Club de Campo 5-0 as Frédérique Matla scored a hat trick.
Stat attack
Bloemendaal have only lost one match in normal time in their EHL history with all of their eliminations – other than 2012 – coming via shoot-outs.
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Dominant Den Bosch too strong for Club de Campo in first ever EHL Women’s final
EHL Women’s GRAND FINAL
HC ’s Hertogenbosch 5 (F Matla 3, L Welten, M Krekelaar) Club de Campo de Madrid 0
Den Bosch became the first ever EHL Women’s champions with a dominant performance to get the best of Club de Campo de Madrid in the GRAND FINAL at the Wagener Stadium as Frédérique Matla fired a hat trick.
It carried on their incredible run of success from the old EuroHockey Club Champions Cup when they won 16 titles, the most of any club in the top tier competition.
Campo were going in search of their first gold medal at this elevated level, their 2008 7-0 final defeat in the old Club Cup against Den Bosch their only final appearance before the competition got its new #EquallyAmazing revamp.
Speaking after the final, player of the game Matla summed it up, saying: “It feels great. It’s the first edition of the EHL and I am so proud to have the trophy in my hands on behalf of the team. It couldn’t be better.
“It has been two years since we have played for a prize and because it is Raoul’s last year, it is really special for him so we can send him with, at least, an EHL title and I hope a national title soon which we will do our best for him and our team.”
For Den Bosch coach Raoul Ehren, it was a memorable send-off from his last European campaign before taking up the head coach job with Belgium full-time this summer, making it eight Euro titles since 2009 as head coach.
The Brabant club were the main protagonists in the first half but they got little change from the Club de Campo defence in the opening 15 minutes. The main opening came via Welten whose burst of speed opened up a chance but she could not find the sweet connection to test Maria Ruiz.
That golden touch did come early in the second quarter, though, when Pien Sanders produced an excellent turnover and fed the ball forward to Welten. Driving with pace and purpose, she unleashed a beautiful shot on her backhand from the left-side of the circle, all the way across into the bottom corner.
Sanders’ range of passing was a feature of the game and she brilliantly picked out Joosje Burg on the charge with a full-width sweep but the chance came to nothing.
Campo, meanwhile, were living on the counter which almost yielded an opening for Sara Barrios but Bea Perez’s pass in behind the last defender proved just out of reach.
The Den Bosch lead was doubled just before the end of the quarter from their second penalty corner. Ruiz did well to keep out Frédérique Matla’s first drag-flick but the next one was perfect, locating a low route to the backboard.
The Spanish champions took to the second half with greater attacking intent, forcing Josine Koning into her first save of note while Alicia Magaz had more time than she realised from an inviting chance.
But the game was all but sealed with 20 minutes to go when Laura Nunnink’s raking pass found Matla’s run. Like Welten before her, she pushed it out onto her reverse-stick arc and shot powerfully at Ruiz who was unable to keep it out.
A simple fourth goal followed when Marloes Keetels picked off possession on the 23-metre line. A quick pass to Welten created a two-on-one which Maartje Krekelaar finished off.
Matla crowned the victory with another powerful corner drags with six minutes to go to extend the lead to 5-0.
Den Bosch: J Koning, R Fernig, I van den Assem, T de Wit, P Sanders, S Koolen, F Matla, J Burg, M Keetels, L Welten, L Nunnink
Subs: P van der Plas, D van der Veerdonk, N Omrani, E Oonk, I van der Hoek, M Krekelaar, L van Bergen
Club de Campo: M Ruiz, R Gutierrez, E Gil, B Perez, B Garcia, M Lopez, C Cano, C Mejias, A Marquinez, A Torres-Quevedo, A Magaz
Subs: S Barrios, P Campoy, B Gonzalez-Laguillo, L Abajo Saenz de Tejada, L Barrios, B Varela, M Tello
Umpires: Y den Slooten (NED), L Delforge (BEL)
Euro Hockey League media release
Frédérique Matla hails Den Bosch coach Raoul Ehren after EHL Women’s triumph
Dutch hat-trick star Frédérique Matla paid tribute to outgoing Den Bosch coach Raoul Ehren after sweeping to another European title triumph on Monday.
Matla, Lidewij Welten and Maartje Krekelaar all netted as Den Bosch routed Club de Campo de Madrid 5-0 in Amstelveen.
After 16 title wins in the EuroHockey Club Champions Cup, it meant that Den Bosch added their name to the EHL Women’s trophy as the inaugural winners.
Ehren now takes up his head coach role with Belgium full-time this summer, after making it eight Euro titles since 2009 as head coach.
“It’s the first edition of the EHL and I am so proud to have the trophy in my hands on behalf of the team. It couldn’t be better,” a jubilant Matla said.
“It has been two years since we have played for a prize and because it is Raoul’s last year, it is really special for him so we can send him with, at least, an EHL title and I hope a national title soon which we will do our best for him and our team.”
Den Bosch’s victory was the 21st straight success by a Dutch club in European finals.
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Dutch hockey star Eva de Goede breaks wrist in EHL collision
Amsterdam won bronze at first Euro Hockey League Women PIC: EHL
Dutch women’s captain Eva de Goede saw her preparations for the Olympics severely hampered after breaking her wrist.
De Goede left the pitch in tears during Amsterdam’s third-place 4-2 win over Der Club an der Alster at the first Euro Hockey League Women.
The Dutch star was in visible pain as she held her left wrist as she exited the pitch before going to hospital after a collision with Alster keeper Amy Gibson.
“It looked serious,” said Felice Albers Albers, “also because it shocked her so much. She must have felt a lot of pain.”
De Goede could be out for up to eight weeks depending on the extent of the break.
The Dutch league play-offs start on May 5, with the EuroHockey Champs set for June 4 before the Olympics begin on July 23.
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India head coach Graham Reid hopes team can deliver results 'at Pro League level' against Argentina
Compared to Argentina, India have played more games since hockey resumed post the coronavirus-induced stoppage and also got time to rectify issues and work on their game.
Anish Anand
File image of Indian men's hockey team with chief coach Graham Reid. Twitter @HockeyIndia
After going undefeated in their European tour last month, which also marked the team's return to international hockey after a year, the Indian men's hockey team will be hoping to pull off similar results in their latest campaign against Argentina.
Graham Reid's side are in Argentina to play six matches against the reigning Olympic champions, which will also include two crucial FIH Pro League games on 10 and 11 April. The tour actually begins with two practice matches on 6 and 7 April and two more games are scheduled on 13 and 14 April.
Manpreet Singh, who missed the earlier matches against Germany and Great Britain due to personal reasons, is back to lead the side and he spoke about how the team is preparing to achieve yet another 'unbeaten' tour along with building momentum for the all-important Tokyo Olympics. To pull off six wins against Argentina will not be an easy task but head coach Reid is hoping that his players will step up and perform at the Pro League level.
"I think the great thing we learned from our Europe tour is that it is good to just get out and play international competition, We are looking forward to getting up to the Pro League level. It is a different level of the sport and especially playing against Argentina at home is going to be really challenging for us," Reid told Firstpost before their departure to the South American country.
Apart from skipper Manpreet, dragflick specialist Rupinder Pal Singh and defender Varun Kumar are also back in the team after missing the previous tour due to injuries. The likes of Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Simranjeet Singh who played the matches in Europe have been rested while Jaskaran Singh, Shilanand Lakra, and Sumit will feature in international outings after more than a year.
Reid is happy that most of his players from the squad have got the game time in Europe and the return of Manpreet will not only provide the stability in the midfield and but his leadership will also benefit the team.
"I think the boys are fit. Majority of the squad have got some games under their belts. It is good to have Manpreet back in the side. He provides a little bit of leadership and stability in the middle of the pitch so looking forward to it."
Argentina played two back-to-back Pro League matches against Germany at home on 3 and 4 April and suffered defeats on both occasions - a 2-3 loss followed by a 0-3 drubbing. Argentina were bereft of match practice as they were playing for the first time in more than a year and it showed in their performance against Germany. After the defeats, forward Nicolás Keenan spoke about how the team was happy to be back after a long break and they got the much-needed playing time against tough opposition.
Compared to Argentina, India have played more games since hockey resumed post the coronavirus -induced stoppage and also got time to rectify issues and work on their game. Out of the four matches they played against Germany and Great Britain, India ended up winning twice and played out two draws.
No doubt India put out a good show against tough opponents. In their first match of the tour, they hammered Germany 6-1 and followed it up with a 1-1 draw. In the two matches against Great Britain, India scored late twice to earn a draw (1-1) and then a superb victory (3-2). The fighting spirit has impressed Reid but he insists that the team is looking for improvements when it comes to the defensive side of things.
"We are looking for improvements in our structure, especially without the ball. We are trying to refine it as we come up against different styles of play. It is always good to have the ability to morph into a different style of defence or press depending on who you play. It is definitely an area that we have been looking at," Reid said.
"We are constantly putting work into penalty corner attacks and penalty corners defence. Creating more opportunities upfront and also making the best of our defensive responsibilities."
Defender Harmanpreet Singh also echoed similar feelings and said that adapting to Argentina's style of play, which is "slightly different compared to the teams in Europe" will be a crucial factor when it comes to finding success in the upcoming matches.
At the moment, India are fifth on the Pro League standings with 10 points after six matches. Germany's two victories against Argentina pushed them to the second spot with 19 points to their name. Belgium lead the table with 32 points from 13 games.
After their sojourn in Argentina, India are supposed to play Pro League matches against the likes of Great Britain, Spain, Germany, and New Zealand in the month of May.
Firstpost
Seeking Olympics momentum in Argentina: Harmanpreet Singh
Harmanpreet Singh was in fine form during last month’s Europe tour, where India finished unbeaten. HI
Indian hockey team vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh has said that they will utilise the tour of Argentina to build momentum ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The 22-member Indian team arrived here last week for the six-match tour against Olympics champions Argentina.
The tour includes four practice matches and back-to-back FIH Hockey Pro League matches against Argentina on April 11 and 12.
Harmanpreet said that adapting to the host nation’s style of play will be key to success for the Indians.
“Argentina’s style of play is slightly different compared to the teams we played in Europe,” said Harmanpreet. “We will certainly be using this tour as an opportunity to gather momentum ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Teams around the world are trying to get as much match practice before the Olympics and we are no different. To play the Olympics champions will be challenging but I believe we have the experience and the talent in our ranks to come out victorious.”
With India winning 2-1 the last time they played (in the 2018 Champions Trophy), Harmanpreet believes India will give Argentina a run for their money in the upcoming matches. He said the return of senior players, including skipper Manpreet Singh, had added teeth to the team. “I would say we are evenly matched in terms of quality,” he said.
The Tribune
Malaysian hockey should look to ‘Zidane’ as model template
Terengganu won the Cup final in a shoot-out PIC: Malaysian Hockey Confederation
Malaysian international Faizal Saari finished top scorer in the men’s Malaysia Hockey League with 17 goals as Terengganu won the TNB cup final.
Terengganu beat fancied UniKL 2-0 in a shoot-out after a thrilling 4-4 draw in normal time at the National Hockey Stadium.
“It was the best final I’ve played in because we went through a myriad of emotions, ” Faizal told reporters.
“When UniKL took a 2-0 lead, I told the boys not to give up and to keep their composure. The goals will eventually come.”
Meanwhile, UniKL stalwart Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, 35, has been hailed as a template for future Malaysian stars.
The player known as ‘Zidane’ helped UniKL win the league title for the third time in succession and were gunning for a domestic treble before Terengganu’s cup exploits.
“If Malaysia have more players like him, we can conquer the world. He is so passionate about the game and I hope the others will use him as a benchmark,” UniKL coach Megat Azrafiq told the New Straits Times.
“He is an asset, but that does not mean I do not fancy the others in the team. We are the league champions because of each one of them. They have worked hard, but Tajuddin is special.
“At his age, he still wants to help the boys feel better about themselves, and even when we are up against the wall, he will find ways to navigate through the challenges.”
On an international level, Malaysia men are currently ranked 11th.
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Oman bids to host first Hockey 5s World Cup in 2023
By Rod Gilmour
FIH has high hopes for Hockey 5s PIC: FIH
Oman has emerged as the first nation to publicly announce its bid to host the first Hockey 5s World Cup in 2023.
The first edition is slated for October 2023 with 16 men and women teams competing in the joint event and Oman is understood to be one of four nations bidding to host alongside India, Malaysia, South Africa and Holland.
FIH requirements as part of the bid process requre stadia to be a minimum of 5,000 spectators, with the hosting fee set at $500,000.
The FIH has already stated that continental Hockey5s tournaments will act as qualifiers for the World Cup during 2021 and 2022, while a separate Hockey5s world ranking will be introduced from 2021/22.
Oman has previously hosted the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy and the AHF Cup in Muscat in 2019 when China beat the hosts in the final.
“The Asian Games qualifiers and Asian Champions Trophy were the milestones in the history of Oman hockey. We hope to secure the rights to host the Hockey 5s World Cup in 2023,” said Talib bin Khamis al Wahaibi, chairman of the Oman Hockey Association.
“Winning the rights to host this innovative and attractive hockey tournament will open up great horizons and showcase the Sultanate around the world.”
The hockey federation has joined up with fellow sporting body Oman Sail – which has hosted international events in the nation – to prepare its bid to the FIH.
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Using hockey as a vehicle for change
While much of the hockey world has been forced to stand still due to the Covid pandemic, behind the scenes, groups, individuals and organisations have been grappling with ways to keep educating and developing our hockey community.
It is that dynamic approach that makes the hockey community such a progressive group of people. Whether we are looking at the ambition and drive of the Uzbekistan Hockey Federation in Asia, an ability to overcome difficulty in Africa, partnership working in Oceania, a desire to reach out to all corners in Pan America or the creative use of technology for education at the European Hockey Federation, dynamic action and creative thought have been key facets in recent months.
As we celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace with our five continental federations, we take a look at what has been going on in each geographical area of the hockey community. In all cases, the work that has been carried out has contributed to developing and educating through the medium of hockey.
The dynamic nature of those working within the sport has been recognised by European Hockey Federation President, Marijke Fleuren. She said “One of the values of the EHF that we hold dear is being dynamic. Well, that value was tested to its limit one year ago when we knew that many development initiates would no longer be possible in our traditional format!”
“So within a couple of weeks, we went ‘online’”
“To be honest there wasn’t one initiative that stood out, but what has impressed me the most was how the whole team (staff and volunteers) immediately formed one team to make the very most of the new situation and how this blended learning approach is now a core element of our development strategies going forward.”
Among the initiatives that have been delivered over the past year are the EHF podcast, which provides educational content and insight and engagement through interviews with some of the sport’s biggest stars. In these times of isolation, providing a continuous link to the spot has been crucial and the EHF podcast delivers on this in abundance.
When it came to developing and education those working within the sport, EHF embraced the online culture. Not only were relevant and progressive online courses on coaching, umpiring and officiating delivered to a huge number of people, but educators and course developers were able to do deep dives into things such as culture, and tactical understanding - areas in which it hadn’t always been possible to delve when the courses were face-to-face and active.
The long-term goal of the EHF is to create an education framework – supported by a grant from the EU and in partnership with a number of European hockey organisations – that will create tools and resources to provide accessible learning for people at all levels of the sport.
Accessibility has been at the heart of the PAHF’s activity in the past 12 months. More than 3,500 participants from across the Pan Am member nations have had access to one or more online course.
A wide range of webinars, workshops, courses and Open Space events (where invited people talk about selected issues within the sport), were made available, with many provided for free.
To enhance the presentation skills of the educators, there was also an innovative Train the Facilitator workshop, where educators could improve their presentation and communication skills.
With the two main languages of the region being Spanish and English, the courses were available in both, and to increase access, most webinars have also been posted on YouTube.
In addition, some tailored webinars were provided for national associations who applied for support from the continental federation. A giant step forward in increasing inclusivity has been taken with the provision of two webinars aimed at promoting activities and opening up a conversation about Hockey ID.
Opportunities to play hockey might have been non-existent, but the Uzbekistan Hockey Federation, working with the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), has ploughed on with its plans to improve facilities and attract many more participants of all levels to the sport.
A brand new hockey pitch in Andijan, with a completely renovated stadium is central to the Uzbekistan Hockey Federation’s aspirations.
The new stadium, which was installed by the AHF, will be home to the Women’s AHF Cup and the men’s Central Asia Cup later this year. Three years later and the stadium will be home to the hockey competition within the Youth Asian Games Tashkent 2025. The AHF plans for the stadium to become a hub for Central Asian Activities, such as domestic and international events, training camps and development activities.
To promote the game further, Uzbekistan has embraced Hockey5s, with many Hockey5s activities taking place throughout the country, as well as a number of specific development activities for coaches, umpires, officials and managers.
AHF Chief Executive Tayyab Ikram said: “I am extremely pleased to see the remarkable achievements made in Uzbekistan even despite the huge setbacks put forward by the global pandemic. It is indeed an inspiring story and of hope when one is desperately required. Uzbekistan is a very important stakeholder for the Asian Hockey Federation, and we wish to keep on working collectively to achieve the set objectives.”
Cameroon is a country beset by financial and cultural challenges. Despite this, the Cameroon Hockey Association has managed to deliver on its promise to create and run a national indoor hockey league.
Supported by the African hockey Federation and driven forwards by Jean Serge Enanak Ofakem, the President of the Cameroon Hockey Association, the new league launched with seven clubs representing five regions of the country.
As Cameroon Hockey Association General Secretary Eugene Mbarga explains: “The Cameroon Hockey association thought that it was necessary to start by launching a national indoor hockey competition because of the available infrastructure. Cameroon does not yet have an artificial turf field that can allow a field hockey competition to take place.”
The launch of the league is part of a 10-year development plan. Due to financial problems, the league launched two years later than first planned but, since it sprang into action in December 2020 it has been well-received. The opening match, at the Complexe Sportif Beac, in Yaounde, was between two clubs from the Central Region – INJS HC and ELCOM HC. It was not short on goal action - the final score was 19-14 to INJS.
Mbarga says there are plans to launch a corresponding outdoor league in 2023.
The final continental story comes from the Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF), where as reported earlier this year, the OHF has been working with a range of partners to develop and educate communities in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
The Hookin4Health project aims to improve the life chances of two particular groups – females and people with disabilities – by removing barriers and increasing their accessibility to sport and physical activity.
OHF, Hockey Australia, the Australian Government’s Team Up programme, plus health professionals and Finders University are all contributing to the initiative, which will not only teach valuable life skills such as leadership, decision-making and skill acquisition, but will also address issues such as nutrition, healthy living and sexual health.
OHF President Clare Prideaux says: “Hookin4Health will create new opportunities for women and people with disabilities in coaching, officiating and leadership roles. Ways of working and a culture of safety, equity and inclusion will be promoted by hockey coaches, officials and leaders who will themselves be trained to better understand safety, healthy relationships, gender equity and inclusive practices.”
As the hockey community comes together to celebrate International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, it is heartening to see how each and every continental federation is working so hard, often in challenging conditions, to promote personal development and inclusivity through the medium of hockey.
#IDSDP2021
#StrongerTogether
#SportDay
#OnlyTogether
FIH site
'That's the Carolina way': No. 1 UNC field hockey beats Duke to end season unbeaten at home
By Kaitlyn Schmidt
Members of the UNC Field Hockey team celebrate after junior forward Erin Matson (1) scores the second goal of the game against Syracuse. The Tar Heels won the ACC Semifinals with a 4-3 score on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. Photo by Cynthia Liu | The Daily Tar Heel
The No. 1 North Carolina field hockey team hosted No. 15 Duke for Senior Day on Friday in a challenging double overtime matchup, notching a 4-3 win the “Carolina way.”
Although the stats might have pointed to a clear winner before the game’s starting passback, the Tobacco Road rivalry brought that extra competitive edge, as both teams fought through two overtimes to determine a winner.
After two October matchups against the Blue Devils, the Tar Heels knew exactly who they were up against.
“They always say you throw out the record books when Duke plays Carolina, and that was absolutely the case today,” head coach Karen Shelton said. “Across-town rivals, it was everything you could ask for.”
On the chilly Friday afternoon, 225 fans attended the game to cheer UNC on — the biggest crowd the team has seen all season. With home-field advantage, the Tar Heels played their standard offensively-driven first period, with junior Erin Matson scoring North Carolina’s first goal on a free possession.
At that point, Matson had been the only Tar Heel to score a goal in the spring season. Then came the second quarter.
Duke commanded the tempo of the game as Blue Devil Libby Thompson shot from the perimeter of the circle to net the ball — the first goal allowed by the Tar Heels all spring. Duke got two penalty corners later in the period, capitalizing on the second to steal the lead, going up 2-1 at the half.
Shelton knew she had to change the narrative of the game after Duke’s two unanswered goals.
“I told them I was disappointed in the way we were playing,” Shelton said. “I thought that Duke was out-playing us with passion, hard work and intensity.”
Going into the third, the Tar Heels realized they needed more than just Matson’s shots to win. Redshirt junior back Cassie Sumfest took the initiative and rocketed the ball in off a penalty corner to tie the score. UNC then regained the lead with a goal sunk by sophomore midfielder Paityn Wirth.
Just a minute later, Duke responded to tie up the score, 3-3, heading into the fourth.
The final period of regulation saw stellar defense on both sides of the field. UNC got nine shots on goal in the period, all of which were blocked by Duke’s goalie, Piper Hampsch, who had an outstanding 19 saves in the game. Keeping the ball in Tar Heel possession, not one Blue Devil had a shot on goal the entire quarter.
“We were just focused on communication, not giving them another opportunity, and keeping them out of our 25 even before they got to our circle,” graduate back Courtnie Williamson said. “I think we all knew we needed to step it up, get loud, get in front and intercept those balls before they could get to them.”
The clock ticked down to end regulation at a gridlocked score, sending the rivals into overtime.
After a stalemated first extra period, the teams went into their second overtime, the most minutes either has seen this season. In the 77th minute of play, senior forward Bryn Boylan got fouled in the circle, and was given a penalty stroke.
And on Senior Night, the senior fired the game-winning shot past Hampsch to finish the game with a North Carolina victory, 4-3.
“Coach always says ‘play the Carolina way: hard, smart, together,’” Boylan said. “And I think we really did that and that’s why we came out on top.”
Completing a perfect 10-0 record at home for the season with a win versus their rivals, the Tar Heels honored their departing seniors in the best way possible.
“That’s a classic Carolina move to just keep playing two overtimes — I’m so proud of everyone, they absolutely worked their butts off,” Williamson said. “That’s the Carolina way.”
The Daily Tar Heel
Rutgers field hockey shuts out Penn State in pair of weekend victories
Sean Miles
Senior Kerrie Burns said that beating Penn State has been a longtime goal for the Rutgers field hockey team.Photo by Scarletknights.com
The Rutgers field hockey team prevailed in both of its weekend matchups against Penn State. The Scarlet Knights (7-3, 7-3) did not give up a single goal in either games. On Friday, Rutgers edged out the Nittany Lions (4-5, 3-2) by a score of 3-0.
Early in the first quarter, junior forward Clayre Smith capitalized on a loose ball after a blocked shot to give the Knights the lead as well as record her first goal of the season. Junior midfielder Milena Redlingshoefer assisted the next goal which was scored by sophomore forward Rachel Houston, who also recorded her first goal this season.
Five saves in the second half by senior goalkeeper Gianna Glatz kept Rutgers in the lead for the remainder of the game. Penn State was unable to score even with seven shots and six corners. The Knights were granted a corner with zero seconds on the clock, and Redlingshoefer was able to send a shot into the back of the net for Rutgers' third goal of the game.
This game marked the Knights’ first win over the Nittany Lions since 1985, and also their fifth win over a top-10 opponent in program history.
Rutgers met Penn State again on Sunday, where the Knights would once again hold their opponent scoreless. Senior midfielder Gianna Mancini scored the lone goal and her first on the season 20 minutes into the match.
The Nittany Lions made a late push in the fourth quarter with eight shots and two penalty corners but were unable to even the score. Glatz had six saves in her sixth shutout in the last 10 games. The victory marked Rutgers' first time beating Penn State back-to-back since 1984 and 1985.
Glatz was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the sixth time in her career and the second time this season. She recorded eleven saves over the games against the Nittany Lions. Glatz has only allowed five goals this season and carries a .60 goals-against-average as well as a .889 save percentage.
The Knights will stay home this coming weekend for matchups against No. 3 Northwestern. The game on Friday will begin at 1 p.m. and be broadcasted on Big Ten Network.
“Beating Penn State is something we've always wanted to do, it's taken us a long time to do it, but two wins against them this weekend, that's a statement,” said senior back Kerrie Burns. “That gives us a lot of confidence going into the Northwestern series next week."
The Daily Targum
No. 14 Field hockey shuts out No. 11 Boston College 1-0
The Cavaliers outshot the Eagles 8-4 en route to crucial ACC win
By Luke Stone
McDonough was key to this game as she attempted three shots — one of which made it to the back of the net and won the game for the Cavaliers. Courtesy Virginia Athletics
Virginia outlasted Boston College 1-0 on Friday afternoon with junior midfielder Annie McDonough’s third quarter goal being the only separation between the two sides.
The No. 14 Cavaliers (6-10, 1-3 ACC) picked up their first ACC win of the spring season after a heartbreaking overtime loss against Wake Forest the weekend prior. The shutout defeat snapped the No. 11 Eagles’ four-game winning streak.
The first quarter was largely played in the midfield, as both teams struggled to create scoring chances. The Cavaliers took the period’s only shot but sophomore striker Laura Janssen’s effort was blocked.
In the second quarter, both offenses became more active. However, Boston College stifled McDonough’s two shots and kept junior back Amber Ezechiels’s penalty corner from finding the back of the net. Six minutes into the period, it seemed as though the Eagles might pull ahead but Boston College senior midfielder Fusine Govaert’s shot hit the post and ricocheted out of the danger zone. The Eagles took two more shots during the period, but junior goalkeeper Lauren Hausheer saved the first and the second sailed wide of the goal.
Virginia finally broke through in the third quarter. McDonough rifled a shot in from the right side to give the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead. The goal, which would prove to be the game winner, was her third of the season and third in the past four games.
Virginia’s offense kept up the pressure, but the Eagles refused to buckle. Junior midfielder Greer Gill and freshman striker Lilly Hengerer put shots on net late in the third quarter, but junior Boston College goalkeeper Jonna Kennedy saved them both.
Despite the one-goal deficit, Boston College’s offense failed to record a single shot in the period as the Cavaliers held on for the 1-0 victory.
“Defensively, the team was connected against a disciplined BC team and were able to create attack from the turnovers,” Coach Michele Madison said. “We have no choice but to grow competing in back-to-back-to-back-to-back ACC games. And that’s what makes the ACC dominant.”
Madison felt the team’s performance was outstanding and lauded their execution.
“We talk about elite professionalism,” Madison said. “Today we were that. Flawless performances from [backs] Amber Ezechiels and Cato Geusgens. We were able to threaten inside today with Meghan Hengerer and Adele Iacobucci and it made a big difference playing through the engine room.”
The Cavaliers are back in action Friday against No. 1 North Carolina in their final home game of the season. The game will begin at 4 p.m. and be broadcasted on ACCNX.
The Cavalier Daily
IU field hockey falls in weekend series against Ohio State
By Luke Christopher Norton
IU field hockey players compete in a match against Ohio State on April 2. IU lost 0-5 to Ohio State on Friday and lost 0-6 to OSU on Sunday. IU Athletics
IU field hockey fell to Ohio State during a weekend series played at Buckeye Varsity Field in Columbus, Ohio.
The first match, played on Friday, ended with a 5-0 loss for the Hoosiers. Freshman goalkeeper Shannon McNally had eight saves during the match as IU was outshot 23-0, with the match ending the Buckeyes’ seven-match losing streak.
Ohio State sophomore midfielder Mackenzie Allessie had three goals and an assist during the first match.
The second match, played on Sunday, ended with a 6-0 loss for IU. Four of Ohio State’s six goals on the day came in the third and fourth quarters of the match, as McNally had four saves.
IU, still searching for its first win of the season, will return to competition on April 9 and 11 to compete against Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania. IU’s schedule is entirely away, with no home matches being played this season.
Indiana Daily Student
Maryland, Ohio State and Rutgers Claim Weekly Field Hockey Awards
Terrapins’ Wright, Buckeyes’ Allessie and Scarlet Knights’ Glatz earn weekly honors
Offensive Player of the Week
Mackenzie Allessie, Ohio State
M – So. – Mount Joy, Pa. – Donegal
Scored six total goals in a pair of wins for Ohio State last weekend against Indiana
Had a hat trick with three goals and an assist in a 5-0 victory on Friday
Added three more goals for another hat trick in Sunday's 6-0 win, including a pair of first-half goals
Claims her first career Offensive Player of the Week award
Last Ohio State Offensive Player of the Week: Casey Cole (Sept. 10, 2018)
Defensive Player of the Week
Gianna Glatz, Rutgers
GK – Sr. – Medford, N.J., – Shawnee
Posted a pair of shutouts against No. 9 Penn State
Made five saves on Friday and held off Penn State through seven corners for Rutgers’ first win over Penn State since 1985
Recorded six saves on Sunday as the Scarlet Knights completed the series sweep
Claims her sixth career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award and second of the season
Last Rutgers Defensive Player of the Week: Gianna Glatz (March 1, 2021)
Freshman of the Week
Rayne Wright, Maryland
D – Bethlehem, Pa. – Liberty
Helped hold No. 2 Iowa scoreless for the first 96 minutes of hockey in a series split this weekend
Held the Hawkeyes scoreless for the first match as No. 13 Maryland won 1-0
Made a diving stop late in the second match while playing with an extra field player and attempting to overcome a 2-0 deficit
Earns her first career Freshman of the Week award
Last Maryland Freshman of the Week: Emma DeBerdine (Oct. 21, 2019)
2020-21 Big Ten Field Hockey Players of the Week
March 1
O: Peyton Halsey, So., NU
D: Gianna Glatz, Sr., RU
F: Maddie Zimmer, NU
March 8
O: Riley Donnelly, Jr., MD
D: Anthe Nijziel, Jr., IOWA
F: Bridy Molyneaux, RU
March 16
O: Bree Bednarski, Sr., PSU
D: Kayla Blas, Jr., NU
F: Liz-Elaine Stange, RU
March 22
O/F: Sophia Gladieux, PSU
D: Riley Donnelly, Jr., MD
March 29
O: Kathryn Peterson, Jr., MICH
D: Anna Spieker, D, MICH
F: Lauren Wadas, NU
April 5
O: Mackenzie Allessie, So., OSU
D: Gianna Glatz, Sr., RU
F: Rayne Wright, MD
B1G Ten media release