By REDIntern Farah Alsagoff

Choa Chu Kang Indoor Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 – In a much-anticipated battle to emerge tops in Group A of the A Division Girls’ Floorball Championship, the game between Meridian Junior College and Victoria Junior College lived up to its top billing as it resulted in a thrilling, edge-of-the-seat 3-3 draw.

The sports hall was silent as both teams faced off at the start of the match. Lee Peng (MJC, #81) dribbled up the field with the ball, only to see VJC's defenders close in on her and cause her to lose possession. VJC had their share of shot attempts when their captain Therese (#20) and Veronica (#21) unleashed lightning-quick shots that either went over the goal or were saved by MJC keeper Nida Khan.

It was in the 4th minute when MJC proved their championship mettle. Lee Peng was given the advantage of a one-on-one situation with VJC’s keeper Huiling, but her shot was off-target. She did not let up, and out-dribbled a VJC player before turning and sending a powerful wrist shot into the near post of VJC's goal. The MJC supporters erupted into cheers as Lee Peng’s team mates ran to celebrate with her.

Shortly after, MJC had another opportunity to score when Chuanyun (#21) had only the keeper to beat, but her inability to control the bouncing ball saw the VJC defenders sweep the ball away from her. MJC's Lee Peng again had another one-on-one situation with Huiling, but this time her shot from half-court was off-target.

The match constantly left those watching at the edge of their seats, never mind the fact that the MJC and VJC supporters on my left and right respectively were adding more tension to the already exciting match by constantly cheering and laughing, as well as cringing after each near-miss at goal.

A turn of events saw VJC’s Melissa (#11) having a one-on-one situation with MJC's keeper Nida this time. However, Melissa was too close to the latter and she easily blocked the shot.

Shortly after, VJC's Harilyn (#16) showed fantastic ball control, and took a slap shot from half court. Nida managed to catch the ball to prevent VJC's equalising goal.

Chuanyun responded with a shot that barely grazed the top bar of the goal. She was unfortunate once again when another shot from her hit the side post.

VJC were awarded a free-hit in MJC's half, and Therese took a shot that was off-target. Josephine (VJC, #12) followed up with another shot that went high and wide.

The first period ended 1-0 to MJC.

The second period saw the same gusto and determination that the first had. Lee Peng repeated her antics at the start with a shot after yet another face-off.

In the most heart-wrenching play of the game, Melissa took a shot which left the keeper stranded, but it hit both posts and deflected away from goal. She followed up on the rebound, but it again cruelly bounced off the right post, and deflected out. The unusual sequence of events left supporters jumping in their seats with no reason to celebrate, yet.

Both teams then relentlessly took the game to each other, trading counter-attacks. Zhi Sing’s (MJC, #13) shot from a free hit went high, and Felicia's (VJC, #4) attempt was barely saved by the MJC keeper.

VJC levelled the match in the 22nd minute when Melissa cleverly lobbed the ball over MJC keeper Nida into the top of the goal. The VJC supporters burst into cheers as their school team found the much-needed equaliser.

Shots continued pouring in from both teams till the end of the second period, and the score stood at 1 apiece.

The third period was a carbon copy of the second, with numerous counter-attacking plays from both sides. Chuanyun turned her back to goal and took a shot that was off-target. Lee Peng’s attempt was blocked by a VJC defender, and Zhi Sing went in for a rebound that was saved by Huiling. Josephine then went in for a shot that was off-target.

Next, VJC had the opportunity of a blind side goal, but there was no one to tap the ball in.

Lee Peng attempted a backhand shot into VJ's goal. The hall fell silent in anticipation of a goal, as the ball disappeared from sight. But Huiling pulled the ball from in between her legs to signal that MJC had not taken the lead, and the VJC crowd screamed with joy.

They had greater reason to celebrate when Therese took a grounder which went into MJC's goal in the 37nd minute, giving her team a 2-1 advantage.

The MJC keeper was further put to the test as VJC kept up their streams of shots. But it was MJC which managed to score just 3 minutes later when Lee Peng took a shot that deflected off VJC's keeper. Before the latter could catch the ball, Atiqah (#6) ran in for a rebound that sailed into VJC's goal. The MJC supporters erupted into cheers as the team ran onto the court to celebrate.

VJC appeared to be affected by the equaliser, as their passes became less focused and more forced.

MJC capitalised on the momentum, and in the 42nd minute, Lee Peng dribbled in from the corner and spun around for a simple wrist shot that went past VJC's near post into goal, allowing MJC to edge ahead 3-2.

MJC followed up with double-teams to win the ball. They had another opportunity when Wei Jia (#14) met the Huiling one-on-one, but the VJC defenders made up enough ground in time for her to falter and lose possession before she could shoot.

VJC's Melissa had another opportunity to equalize when she took a shot in MJC's slot area, but a fantastic save by Nida prevented a goal.

Time was running out on VJC, as they needed every opportunity they could get.

And when all hope seemed to be lost, Melissa finally restored parity when she received a pass from the corner with a minute to play. All it took was a direct shot from her into goal, and VJC would top Group A if her team could hang on.

The final whistle blew, and the VJC bench rushed onto the court to celebrate with their players. Despite the 3-3 draw, it meant that VJC has beaten the defending champions to the top spot in Group A through their superior goal difference.

In addition, the VJC girls team did not qualify for last year’s semi-finals, and by topping the table this time, it was certainly a happy occasion for the team.

VJC will now meet Yishun JC in the semi-finals while MJC takes on Raffles in the other semi-final. The games are scheduled to take place on May 13th, 2009, at Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall at 2pm and 3.30pm.