Story by REDintern Farah Alsagoff.

Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 13, 2009 - Raffles Institution drew 3-3 with Meridian Junior College after full-time in an A Division Girls’ Floorball semi-final match, resulting in a penalty shootout that saw the latter go through to the finals with a close 4-3 win.

MJC started the match promisingly, with #13 Zhi Sing taking a shot which hit RI’s crossbar. They had another opportunity to score but RI’s keeper (#1) saved #21 Chuan Yun’s shot.

MJC had the lion’s share of possession in the first period, but RI was not at all disadvantaged as they pressured their opponents conscientiously and kept up the tempo throughout the game.

From a half-court pass, an unmarked RI #9 attempted a direct shot, but she completely missed the ball. MJC responded with Lee Peng (#81) taking a shot from half-court, but RI’s #24 blocked her attempt.

MJC took the lead when a free hit awarded to them in RI's corner saw #14 Wei Jia receive a pass from behind the goalpost. She took a wrist shot from an acute angle to score MJC's first goal.

Not to be outdone, Lee Peng got hold of a pass from #13 at the corner and took a simple wrist shot which went into goal to double her team’s lead.

An RI player then had a 1-on-1 opportunity with MJ's keeper Nida Khan (#72), and she easily out-dribbled the custodian to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

MJC continued with their shots right until the end of the period, and nearly scored in a dramatic sequence of events when MJ’s #15 first took a shot which deflected off the keeper. Chuan Yun ran in for the rebound, and again the ball went off the keeper. #15 then took a shot from the loose ball but it went high and wide.

Both teams wasted more opportunities in the second period. MJ’s #11 passed to Lee Peng who had an open goal at her mercy, but she could not properly position herself to muster a shot. RI's #25 then took a shot which saw MJ's keeper Nida fumble with the ball. She speedily ran in for the rebound but Nida beat her to it.

RI's #23 took a shot that went high, and shortly after her shot was once again off-target.

A bad pass between the MJ defenders saw RI’s #17 gain possession. She passed to an unmarked #25, only for her to mistime her shot and miss the ball.

The second period ended goalless, with the score remaining at 2-1 in favour of MJC.

RI persisted in their search of an equalizer in the third period. #23’s shot was saved by Nida, and so was RI #17’s one from a #9 pass.

MJ's Wei Jia then attempted to score her second goal and her team’s third, but her wrist shot barely missed the top corner of the RI goal.

Luck was not on her side as she was sent off to a 2 minute bench penalty for lying play. RI’s #24 shot was saved by Nida, but the majority of the RI shots were blocked by MJ’s outfield players, indicating a tight defence in box-play.

But RI’s persistence finally paid off when #5 scored from a grounder shot while in power play, bringing the score to 2 goals each.

Shortly after, MJ had a free hit which was quickly-taken, perhaps while the RI keeper was inattentive or distracted due to the line changes occurring in front of her. MJ's Zhi Sing duly scored with a grounder from half-court.

Controversy occurred towards the end of the final period, when MJ's keeper Nida was observed to have caught the ball, but RI's #25 somehow managed to win it and take a shot into an open goal. Nida immediately got to her feet to discuss the play with the referee, and they were joined by Chuan Yun and Ying Qi, the captains from both sides. To MJ's dismay, the goal still stood, and the score was now 3-3.

RI closed out the game with continuous attempts on goal, but they were either off-target or saved by Nida. The score remained intact till the final whistle, resulting in a penalty shoot-out to determine who would proceed to the final.

Penalty shoot-outs concern one-on-one with keepers. 5 players from each team are selected and take the penalty in alternate turns until one team leads by 1 goal. Players are not allowed to pull back the ball.

MJ's Chuan Yun stepped up to get the ball rolling. She calmly and slowly took the ball, pulled right and shot above the RI keeper into the top left corner of the goal.

RI’s #25 went next, and her shot was saved by Nida as she was too near to the keeper. If MJ were to score the next penalty, they would go through.

MJ's Zhi Sing also took the penalty slowly and steadily, but her shot was saved by RI's keeper (#1). The score remained 1-0 to MJ.

Oceana (RI, #4) went next, just as calmly. Her shot was so quick that it bounced into the goal despite hitting Nida’s leg. It was now 1 apiece.

Lee Peng’s penalty was a stark contrast to the last 4; hers was a quick run in and a wrist shot to seal the deal. 2-1 to MJC.

RI #7 Eunice’s turn was next. While taking it, she pulled the ball back, voiding her attempt. Once again, if MJ were to score on the next penalty, they would advance to the final.

MJ’s #15 saw her shot saved, and then RI’s #21 Crystal easily out-dribbled Nida to level the score at 2-2.

Both teams missed their 5th attempt, as MJ #10's shot was saved, while RI #23's one was off-target. The score was tied at 2-2 after 5 rounds, requiring another to determine the victor.

MJ's Chuan Yun started off once again. She repeated the same method as her first penalty - she pulled right and shot top-left, a fantastic shot that had gasps from the crowd. 3-2 to MJ.

RI’s #25 followed up, and easily tapped in a goal. But MJ's Lee Peng had the misfortune of hitting the side post. The score was tied once again at 3-3.

RI’s Oceana went next, and her shot was saved by Nida. MJ's Zhi Sing took a shot that went straight into RI's goal. The score was now 4-3 to MJ. If RI fumbled their next penalty, MJ would go through to play for their third consecutive title.

The onus fell on RI’s Eunice. One can only imagine the immense pressure on her while taking the shot. She went in, carefully ensuring that she did not pull back the ball. But her shot missed the goal and hit the side post. The MJC team, as well as their supporters, erupted in cheers, hugs and dancing at the stands as the team ran in to hug Nida for her spectacular saves.

MJC are now through to the finals and will be meeting Victoria JC. The game is scheduled to start at 2pm on Wednesday, May 20 at Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall.