News for 30 September 2018
All the news for Sunday 30 September 2018
Focus on second bid to qualify for Tokyo Olympics, Fitri tells teammates
By Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: “Don’t give up hope and stay focused.”
That’s national hockey midfielder Fitri Saari’s (pic) advice to his teammates in his bid to restore the team’s confidence after they failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics no thanks to the Asian Games final defeat to Japan in Jakarta last month.
“It’s not the end of the world. We need to bounce back after the failure in the Asiad,” said Fitri.
“The final against Japan was a lesson to us (the players) that the battle is not won until the final whistle.
“We had the best chance to win the elusive gold medal and also book a place in the Tokyo Olympics but we blew it despite taking a comfortable (5-2) lead.
“It clearly shows that we’re mentally not strong and always collapse in the crucial moments.
“It has happened several times in tournaments and we need to change this if we hope to put up a strong challenge in future tournaments,” said the 25-year-old Fitri, who marshals the midfield.
Malaysia’s defence crumbled when it mattered most and Japan equalised to make it 6-6 with 13 seconds left to play. Japan then won the penalty shootout 3-1.
Malaysia have to play in next year’s World Series for a second shot at qualifying for the Olympics. Malaysian hockey has not featured in the Olympics since Sydney in 2000.
Fitri admitted they face a tough task in the World Series.
“It’ll be tough but firstly, we need to regain our confidence by playing well in the six-nation Asian Champions Trophy (in Muscat, Oman, from Oct 18-28),” said Fitri.
“We face top Asian countries in Oman and we need to be mentally prepared to play as a unit, have good ball control and cut down the defensive errors.”
Malaysia open their campaign against Japan on Oct 18, followed by matches against Oman (Oct 19), South Korea (Oct 22), India (Oct 23) and Pakistan (Oct 25). They will then play in the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, from Nov 28 to Dec 16.
For the World Cup, Malaysia are drawn in Group D with four-time world champions Pakistan, three-time world champions Holland and two-time world champions Germany.
The Star of Malaysia
Investec English Women's Hockey League
Jo Turnbull celebrating her goal for the University of Birmingham. Credit: Andrew Smith.
The University of Birmingham were made to work hard by visitors Slough to clinch a narrow 2-1 victory in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday.
Jo Turnbull’s early goal was cancelled out by Emma Onien for Slough on 27 minutes, and the University of Birmingham had to wait until seven minutes from the hooter to scrape victory, with Lauren Hunt scoring the winner on 63 minutes.
Elsewhere, Surbiton went two points clear at the top of the table with a narrow 1-0 win over Clifton Robinsons. Izzy Petter was the only scorer of the game, netting from open play after eleven minutes.
East Grinstead secured their first victory of the season as they won 2-1 at home to league newcomers Beeston.
Bridget Blackwood opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when she scored a goal from open play. The hosts doubled their advantage when Sophie Bray scored in the same fashion in the 31st minute.
Beeston hit back in the 62nd minute when Caroline Hanks scored the third goal of the game from open play, but East Grinstead held on for the win.
Elsewhere, Bowdon and Canterbury secured their first point of the season from a 2-2 draw.
The first goal of the game was scored by Aine Curran for Bowdon as she netted from a penalty corner in the 20th minute.
Canterbury then scored two quickfire goals to lead 2-1 going in to the break. The first from Nicki Ball from open play in the 23rd minute, then Grace Balsdon finished a penalty stroke in the 29th.
Bowdon’s Charlene Mason then scored from open play in the 64th to ensure both teams received a share of the spoils.
Finally, Holcombe and Buckingham played out a 1-1 draw with Natasha James having given Buckingham the lead before Olivia Wade scored for Holcombe 12 minutes later.
Investec Women’s Conference West
Sally Walton and Sade Gerald both bagged a hat-trick as Olton & West Warwicks produced a dominant display to beat Exe 8-1 in the Investec Conference West.
Alice Conquest and Lucy Smith also scored while Emily Mitchem claimed the only goal for Exe.
Last season’s champions Stourport started their season well with a 4-1 win at home against Barnes. Lottie Atkinson scored a brace, while Lora Symonds and Sarah Parkinson scored one each to secure the win.
Elsewhere, Swansea City secured a 2-1 away victory at Reading, while Isca won 3-0 at home against Trojans and Gloucester City won 1-0 at home against Oxford Hawks.
Investec Women’s Conference East
Nikki Kidd scored a brace as Sevenoaks won 5-1 at home against Horsham in the Investec Conference East.
Susie Rowe, Maddie Thompson and Jen Wilson also got themselves on the scoresheet as Sevenoaks secured all three points.
England and GB ace Helen Richardson-Walsh scored a hat-trick as Cambridge produced an excellent display, beating visitors Southgate 5-0. Megan Crowson scored a brace to seal the win.
Elsewhere, Harleston Magpies secured a 3-0 victory away at Bedford, while St Albans also performed well away from home winning 4-0 against Ipswich.
Hampstead & Westminster also secured three points as they won at home against Wimbledon by a scoreline of 3-0.
Investec Women’s Conference North
Ben Rhydding came out on top after a dramatic match against Brooklands Poynton, winning 3-2 in the Investec Women’s Conference North.
Kate Wood had given the home side the lead after 22 minutes, but that only lasted six minutes before Brooklands’ Izzy Wray equalised.
Annabelle Watton gave the visitors the lead with a 42nd minute field goal, before Tanisha Janzen pulled Ben Rhydding back level. Then in a decisive move, Beth Cordukes scored the winner after 59 minutes to give the hosts the win.
Elsewhere, Loughborough Students and the University of Durham had to settle for a share of the spoils from a 2-2 draw, while Timperley were 3-1 winners at Sutton Coldfield and Leeds ran out 2-1 winners at Fylde.
Results – Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division: Bowdon Hightown 2, Canterbury 2; East Grinstead 2, Beeston 1; Holcombe 1, Buckingham 1; Surbiton 1, Clifton Robinsons 0; University of Birmingham 2, Slough 1.
Investec Conference West: Gloucester City 1, Oxford Hawks 0; Isca 3, Trojans 0; Olton & West Warwicks 8, Exe 1; Reading 1, Swansea City 2; Stourport 4, Barnes 1.
Investec Conference East: Bedford 0, Harleston Magpies 3; Cambridge City 5, Southgate 0; Hampstead & Westminster 3, Wimbledon 0; Ipswich 0, St Albans 4; Sevenoaks 5, Horsham 1.
Investec Conference North: Ben Rhydding 3, Brooklands Poynton 2; Fylde 1, Leeds 2; Loughborough Students 2, University of Durham 2; Sutton Coldfield 1, Timperley 3.
England Hockey Board Media release
Irish Hockey League: Ulster's women's sides get off to winning start
Ireland international Shirley McCay was on target for Pegasus
A goal from Irish World Cup silver medallist Zoe Wilson helped Belfast Harlequins to a 2-0 win over Pembroke Wanderers in the opening round of games in the Women's Irish Hockey League.
Ireland team-mate Shirley McCay was also on target as Pegasus began their campaign with a 3-2 victory over UCD.
Banbridge made it two wins out of two in the Men's IHL beating Cork C of I 3-1 while Lisnagarvey got the better of Cookstown in the first Ulster derby of the season and Annadale suffered a second loss of the season.
For the home-based Irish internationals this was a first competitive game since the World Cup final.
Three of the squad were in action at Deramore where Wilson and Lizzie Colvin helped Belfast Harlequins to a win over Gillian Pinder and Pembroke Wanderers.
Wilson opened the scoring hammering home a second quarter penalty corner with Abi Edwards doubling the advantage before half-time.
Harlequins goalkeeper Marianne Fox was called upon to make a number of vital saves in the second half to preserve the win.
Another Irish World Cup hero was on the scoresheet as Shirley McCay put Pegasus ahead against UCD from a penalty corner. Hannah Craig added a second before goals from Niamh Carey and Suzie Kelly for the visitors made it 2-2.
However a late strike from Steph Thompson gave Pegasus all three points.
In the other games Loreto beat Cork Harlequins 2-0 and Railway Union defeated Old Alex 3-0. Ards travel to Muckross on Sunday.
New Division 2 gets underway
In the opening games of the new IHL Division 2 where the winners will gain promotion yet another Irish international, Chloe Watkins, scored the only goal of the game as Monkstown beat Lurgan 1-0.
Erin Getty opened the scoring in a 6-0 victory for Queen's University over Connacht side Greenfields.
Leeanne Cassells scored for Dungannon in their 1-1 draw at NUIG.
Men's IHL
In the men's IHL Banbridge came from a goal down to beat Cork C of I 3-1 at Havelock Park.
All the goals for the home side came in the final quarter with Josh Moffett scoring twice and Eugene Magee converting a penalty corner.
Only Pembroke can match the 100% start for Bann as they edged Monkstown 4-3.
Lisnagarvey recorded their first win with a 4-0 victory at Cookstown in the Ulster derby.
James Lorimer opened the scoring from a penalty corner with Matthew Nelson grabbing a brace and Andy Williamson also on the scoresheet.
However Annadale went down to their second loss of the season beaten at home by Glenanne 2-1.
Three Rock Rovers beat YMCA 3-1 with two goals from Irish international Darragh Walsh and one for Ben Walker.
BBC Sport
Saturday round-up – September 29
It was a busy day across the board with Irish men's and women's EYHL ties, the first ever women's EYHL2 ties as well as Leinster and Munster Division One games; here are all the scores from the day
Weekend fixtures (Saturday unless stated)
Men
EY Hockey League: Annadale 1 (C Ruttle) Glenanne 2 (D Keogh, E O’Malley); Pembroke 4 (S Sullivan, G Garrett, S Sweetnam, C Murphy) Monkstown 3 (G Watkins, G Cole, G Sarratt); Cookstown 0 Lisnagarvey 4 (M Nelson 2, J Lorimer, A Williamson); YMCA 1 (G Glutz) Three Rock Rovers 3 (D Walsh 2, B Walker); Banbridge 3 (J Moffett 2, E Magee) ( Cork C of I 1 (J Jermyn)
Leinster Division One: Kilkenny 3 (H McDonnell, E Dore, D Coffey) Dublin University 1 (F de Comprodon); Avoca 1 (E Rankin) Portrane 2 (S Graham, C Neville); Rathgar 1 (A White) Clontarf 1; UCD 9 (E Ramsay 4, J Guilfoyle, H Spillane, L Bourke, A Meates, D Nolan) Dublin North 1 (A Sweeney); Corinthian 1 (C Motyer) Railway Union 3 (R Devlin 2, M MacKenzie)
Munster Division One: Bandon 1 (C Sweetnam) Cork Harlequins 2 (D Egner 2); Cork C of I B 2 (D Herbert 2) Catholic Institute 2 (R Gleeson, G Acheson); UCC 1 (S Grace) Ashton 1 (P Sweetnam)
Women
EY Hockey League: Cork Harlequins 0 Loreto 2 (N Small, S Clarke); Old Alex 0 Railway Union 3 (S Hawkshaw, H de Burgh Whyte, A-M Whelan); Belfast Harlequins 2 (Z Wilson, A Edwards) Pembroke 0; Pegasus 3 (S McCay, H Craig, S Thompson) UCD 2 (N Carey, S Kelly)
Sunday: Muckross v Ards, 3.15pm, Muckross Park
EYHL Division 2
Pool A: Queens University 6 (E Getty, A Boland, T Hastings, E McStea, C Whiteside, K Ferguson) Greenfields 0; Trinity 1 (S Osborne) Corinthian 2 (J Douglas, J McGrane)
Pool B: Lurgan 0 Monkstown, 1 (C Watkins); NUIG 1 (R Heskin) Dungannon 1 (L Cassells)
Leinster Division One
Saturday: Glenanne 3 (K O’Connor, A McCormack, H Delaney) Rathgar 0; Avoca 3 (A McGuinness, M Cole, M O’Neill) Our Lady’s 0
Sunday: Genesis v Trinity, 2.30pm, St Raphaela’s; Naas v Corinthian, 2.30pm, Caragh Road; Monkstown v North Kildare, 2.45pm, Rathdown
Munster Division One: Catholic Institute 5 (R Upton, L Foley, K Daly, N O’Keeffe, L Clery) UCC 1 (L Ryan); Cork C of I 2 (H Honner, A O’Mahony) Waterford 0; Bandon 0 Ashton 1 (S O’Donovan); Belvedere 3 (H Leacy 2, A Barrett) Limerick 2 (G Tutty, N Deegan)
The Hook
Incredible day of hockey in Scottish National League 1
It was an incredible day`s events in men`s National League 1; Grange survived a red card to see off Western Wildcats 3-2 to stay at the top of the table, while at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre Clydesdale defeated Kelburne by the odd goal in an eleven-goal thriller.
Wildcats seemed to be purring along when Rob Harwood`s reverse stick shot from the top of the circle after a mistake by Grange`s Cammie Fraser gave them a slender lead at the interval. Early in the second half Wildcats doubled their advantage with a penalty corner strike by Joe McConnell.
The tide then turned, good work by Robbie Shepherdson created the opening and his cut back pass was slotted home by Jacob Tweedie.
Things seemed to turn sour for Grange when Fraser was shown a red card. But the ten men from Edinburgh retaliated, a long pass from Callum Milne was deflected by Todd Mills into the path of Frank Ryan and the Irishman levelled the score at 2-2.
With five minutes left Grange secured the three points when Duncan Riddell finished off a well-worked set piece routine.
The incredible eleven goal thriller between Clydesdale and Kelburne undoubtedly entertained the crowd. In only three minutes Kelburne had their noses in front, Iain Scholefield`s reverse stick shot sailed into the roof of the net via the keeper.
Within a couple of minutes Clydesdale were level with a close range finish by Andrew MacAllan. Slackness in the Kelburne defence donated Clydesdale their 2-1 lead, Struan Walker took full advantage to fire a low shot past Rory Kerr.
But with less than 20 minutes gone it was 2-2 following a fierce low drive from Kelburne striker Jack McKenzie.
Then two goals in as many minutes seemed to put Clydesdale in the driving seat, a diving MacAllan made it 3-2, then Walker was given far too much space in the circle and the teenager was able to swat the ball into the roof of the net.
Clydesdale seemed to have secured the contest when Andrew Allan found the net at a penalty corner at the third attempt.
But loose defending this time by the Titwood outfit allowed McKenzie to smash a high ball into the roof of the net for 5-3.
Clydesdale were awarded a penalty and Allan comfortably sent Kerr the wrong way for a commanding 6-3 advantage.
Late strikes by Ciaran Wilcox and Johnnie Christie brought Kelburne back to a single goal deficit but they were unable to rescue the occasion at the end.
There were no such problems for Grove Menzieshill as they saw off the challenge of Uddingston 4-0 on Tayside. Cameron Golden gave the Taysiders a single goal lead at the interval. Grove Menzieshill extended their lead in the second half, Golden got his second of the contest while John Stephen and Paul Martin added the others.
A nap hand by Graeme Campbell was the highlight of Hillhead`s incredible 11-0 win over Gordonians. Michael Sherry opened from a penalty corner and that was followed by doubles from Ross Jamieson and Callum Duke while Ewan Campbell got the other.
In the only game in the women`s National League 1 saw champions Edinburgh University move up to fourth place in the table with an incredible 6-1 win over fellow students Glasgow University.
It was far from plain sailing for Edinburgh in the first half with a 1-1 score, Hanna McKie scoring for Edinburgh.
In the second half Kathryn Glass put Edinburgh 2-1 ahead and that was followed by a flurry of goals in the final 20 minutes, Sophie Maunder scored twice and there were further strikes by Margery Justice and Ella Watt from a penalty corner.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Jaguars, Nakuru register rare wins in hockey league
By AYUMBA AYODI and TITUS MAERO
Western Jaguars' Aaron Kutwa dribbles past Kenya Police's Victor Wekesa during their Kenya Hockey Union men's premier league match on September 22, 2018 at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Relegation battlers Western Jaguars and Nakuru rediscovered their ‘A Game’ when they claimed stunning victories on Saturday to revive their hopes of retaining their places in Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League next season.
Jaguars stunned Wazalendo 2-1 in a tension packed match at Eregi Teachers Training College (ETTC) ground, Kakamega.
Nakuru, who sublime in their execution, downing visiting Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCA-U) 3-2 at the Greensteds grounds, Nakuru.
The victory, their second this season, saw Jaguars improve their tally to 11 points though still within the relegation zone in the 12-team league.
It was Nakuru’s fourth win of the season, which pushed them to two places to ninth with 15 points.
Parkroad Badgers dropped one place to 10th with 14 points followed by Parklands on 13 points and then Jaguars on 11 points.
Wazalendo stayed third in the log with 26 points after suffering their seventh loss this season while KCA-U, who incurred their eighth defeat, stayed sixth on 19 points.
POLICE FACE GREENSHARKS
Champions Kenya Police, who are placed second with 36 points, take on Greensharks on Sunday, in a match where they will be eying revenge as well as a chance to zero in on leaders Butali Sugar Warriors. Butali top the standings with 42 points.
Jaguars scored in each half through forward Allan Malit and midfielder Conrad Wafula to sink visiting Wazalendo from Nairobi. Erick Ochieng pulled one back for the visitors.
Dolcan Mwenesi scored a double from a penalty corner and a field goal in the seventh and 16th minutes respectively to put Nakuru ahead. Samuel Lubisia would score before halftime to bring back the accounts students into the match.
John Mark converted from a penalty corner in 41st minute to stretch Nakuru’s lead to 3-1 before Arnold Marango strike five minutes into the last quarter gave KCA-U some hope. Nakuru held on to win.
Jaguars were dominant in the first half. They secured four penalty corners within the first quarter.
Malit capitalised on a defensive mix up score the opener in the 29th minute.
Wazalendo fought back gallantly through forwards Sylvester Samo, Steve Liyai and Erick Ochieng but met Jaguars' watertight defence marshalled by Collins Omachi.
Wazalendo looked refined in the second half where Oliver Cheloti put through Ochieng, who made no mistake to equalise in the 55th minute.
Jaguars, who were ruthless in their attacks, secured a penalty corner. Wafula met the ball to score in the last minute and hand Jaguars victory.
Wazalendo coach Fidelis Kimanzi praised his boys for a sterling display despite the loss.
“Few mistakes cost us but we are determined to post good results in our next fixtures,” said Kimanzi.
Jaguars’ tactician Peter Okova said they are determined to move away from the relegation zone by upholding their winning form.
“We could have won the match by a big margin, but unfortunately four of our players are with the team for the Youth Olympic Games,” said Okova. The players are Edison Ndombi, Paul Nabangi, Ivan Ludiali and Robinson Omutekete.
Daily Nation
Bangladeshi Women’s Hockey reaches business stages
Action from the National Women's Hockey Tournament in Dhaka BHF
Khulna and Rangpur will face off in the first semi-final at 1:30pm while Dhaka and Rajshahi will lock horns with each other at 3:30pm
The semi-finals of the Walton 4th National Women’s Hockey Tournament will be held Sunday at Maulana Bhasani National Stadium in Dhaka.
Khulna and Rangpur will face off in the first semi-final at 1:30pm while Dhaka and Rajshahi will lock horns with each other at 3:30pm.
The final will take place at the same venue Monday. The champion will receive Tk60,000 while the runners-up side will get Tk40,000.
The tournament’s best player and highest goal-scorer will also be rewarded. What’s more, the national women’s side will be comprised with the best players from the tournament.
Narail won the inaugural edition in 2012 while they also clinched the second edition a year later. Jhenidah sealed the last title, three years ago.
The Dhaka Tribune
Fijian Hockey action continues in Suva
Venina Rakautoga
Kelvin Cockan (right) controls for Marist white against Sugar Six Hockey club of Lautoka in the Geotech Drilling Marist Eastgate hockey tournament at the National Hockey Centre yesterday.Picture ATU RASEA
DAY two of the Geotech Drilling Marist Eastgate Memorial Tournament continued yesterday with a few upsets at the National Hockey Centre in Laucala Bay, Suva.
Defending champion Marist White men was beaten by Stingers 1-0 in their first round pool game but Marist managed to pick up in their other matches.
Tournament organiser Paul Fraser said the competing clubs had showed impressive results over the first and second day.
“Some of the clubs have made comebacks. Ventures and Stingers club have stamped their mark during the first and second day and we will see the progress when it all comes down to the semi-finals and finals tomorrow (today),” said Fraser.
There are 11 men’s teams and four women’s teams competing at this year’s tournament in which majority are youths.
“The western teams made it today and we are thankful for their participation as well as the teams in Suva, coming in full force,” said Fraser.
“One thing about this year’s tournament is that there is a lot more involvement from young players. All the teams have been dominated by youths and I think that’s a fantastic thing for our sport.”
The Geotech Drilling Eastgate Memorial Marist Tournament will end today.
Some results:
Stingers 1 7-1 Ventures 2, Rockafellers 1-1 Ba, Sugar Sticks 1-0 Mates, Marist Hearts 3-1 Stingers, Marist white 10-0 Rockafellers, Marist Blue 2-0 sugar sticks, Stingers 3-0 Marist soul, Marist Red 1-1 Ventures 2.
The Fiji Times
OTHL 1 wins the BOSOM title with 7-4 score in final
s2h team
Delhi based One Thousand Hockey Legs (OTHL) team has won the annual Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences' Open Sports Meet (BOSOM) hockey title in Pilani, Rajasthan. The team led by Brajgopal, who is a student of Jamia Milia, defeated Uttar Pradesh based strong Engineering outfit TIT & S 7-4 in the final.
The winning team won the prize money of Rs.9000 thus becoming first ever OTHL team to win any prize money tournament since inception of the NGO.
The OTHL-2's significant victory featured a fluent hat-trick of goals from Centre-forward Abhinandan.
Earlier, the OTHL - 1 team won the semifinal against BITS-Pilani 3-2.
One Thousand Hockey Legs fielded two teams OTHL 1 and OTHL 2. Interestingly, both teams entered the semifinal.
OTHL 2 lost the semifinal in a close encounter 2-3 and then went down in the bronze medal match too. After drawing BITS-Pilani team 1-1, it again drew in the shoot out 1-1 before going down on the sudden death.
OTHL-2's Roshan was seriously injured. Volunteer Nirmal Jeet Singh took extra pains to take care of him both at Pilani and then in Delhi.
OTHL 1: GOLD WINNERS: Deepanshu Kumar, Zainul Samar, Md Sarfaraz, Ajay Bist, Aniket, Mohit Maurya, Yash Gautam, Keshav, Sunil Kumar, Sameer, Anil Paswan, Ritik Maheswari, sagar Nepali, Abdul Qadir, Abhinandan, Brajgopal (Capt)
OTHL 2: SEMIFINALIST: Nitesh Kumar, Roshan, Gagan Yadav, Anwar Hussein, Pradeep Rao, Arun Mahato, Md Altaf, Mohsin Ali, Sachin Chouhan, Md Shoib, Hifazat Ali, Ajay Tiwari (capt.), Maqdoom, Rohit Thakur, Rahul Jr (Akvgr), Dharmender Kumar, Abhinav.
Stick2Hockey.com
UMass field hockey dominates in 3-0 shutout over Davidson
Minutewomen defense suffocates Davidson offense in the first half
By Grace Sherwood
Photo: Caroline O'Connor
The Massachusetts field hockey team defeated Davidson in a 3-0 shutout on Friday, earning the Minutewomen their third win in Atlantic 10 play.
UMass (5-6, 3-1 A-10) suffocated the Wildcats (3-6, 1-1 A-10) in the first half, holding the Wildcats without a shot. The Minutewomen offense showed improvement in passing and controlling the ball, coming off of a 5-0 loss to Saint Joseph’s.
“I think all around on every line today we had a strong game, it was a week of preparation where we focused on us, rather than being so focused on the opponent,” coach Barb Weinberg said. “We played well defensively, we executed our game plan, so we’re really pleased.”
Forward junior Antonet Louw scored the first goal in the 23rd minute, giving the Minutewomen a lead that they would not surrender. Louw was assisted by sophomore forward Lucy Cooper, who went on to assist the second UMass goal, scored in the 46th minute by sophomore Georgie McTear off of a penalty corner.
“This week in practice we worked on a specific drill that we could see happening in the game, exactly what we had done in the drill and replicating that really worked,” said Cooper. “Working off of each other, crossleading, things like that really led to our success.”
The UMass offense forced the Davidson defense to work hard in the first half, dominating with an 11-0 shutout in the shots column. The Minutewomen successfully battled for the ball in turnovers, winning possession over Davidson.
“Our midfield movement, being able to play not only around the outside of the field, but through our central midfielders, and then winning the ball in the press today,” said Weinberg. “We were able to win the ball higher up, so we didn’t have to go so far to counterattack, and that was key for us today.”
In addition to the offensive success, the UMass defense proved strong over Davidson. The Wildcats only managed three shots overall, only two of those being shots on goal. McTear and freshman Sophie Johnson both had key successes in the second half, as Johnson scored the third and final goal in the 55th minute unassisted, officially shutting down Davidson.
“We played a different press, and I think in general it played really well,” said Cooper, “not just one moment but the whole thing overall.”
To add to the Minutewomen’s effective strategy, Weinberg also focused on rotating through the bench throughout the game, giving more playing time to the entire team.
“We were able to get our core players off for longer periods of time today,” said Weinberg. “So our bench came in huge, and every person was able to contribute today.”
After the win, UMass moves on to play Providence this Sunday. Friday’s win is big for the Minutewomen, giving them a boost of confidence going into the non-conference game this Sunday.
“This is a big win, it’s A-10 obviously, so every win in [the] A-10 counts considering we lost to St. Joe’s last week,” said Cooper. “So on Sunday we have a non-conference game, but that’ll be just as important.”
UMass will host the Friars this Sunday at 1 p.m. to finish up the weekend slate.
The Daily Collegian