My big match of the weekend was the Women’s All Ireland Hockey League match between Ulster University Elks and Catholic Institute at Jordanstown Sports Village early Saturday afternoon.
This one had it all; two strong teams bristling with Internationals, a fair bit of niggile and excited entourage’s in the dugouts – great!
It was a lively start to the game and Insta created the first chace from a penalty corner after six minutes. Elks defended well and went straight back up the pitch to open the scoring from a penalty corner of their own, captain Beth Harper deflecting Lucy Craig’s strike past the keeper.
The visitors seemed paranoid about marking Elks’ Katie McKee, somewhat to their own detriment as when they attacked they were very sharp. Naomi Carroll’s goal at the end of the first quarter a case in point, coming from a quick break and a great strike. The goal saw the teams go into the second quarter with the score at 1 – 1.
There was no score in a tight second quarter and the teams changed ends with the game still tied at 1 – 1.
McKee got some reward for the close attention she’d been receiving all match by putting Elks in front in the third quarter, for one unmarked on the edge of the D to slot in a rebound at a penalty corner to give Elks a disserved 2 – 1 lead.
McKee had a chance to put Elks two goals clear mid-way through the final quarter but her reflex shot wasn’t high enough to beat the sprawling Insta keeper who got her glove to the shot.
It was to prove costly as a late penalty corner tap in from Aoife Hickey gave Insta the draw as the whistle blew shortly after, the visitors probably the happiest with the result.
Match Gallery
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