Story by Iman Hashim/Red Sports. Photos by Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports.
Phylicia Tanandika (SNG #11) dribbles the ball against Jolene Ng (STC #38). (Photo 1 © Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports)
Sengkang Hockey Stadium, Thursday, March 31, 2016 — CHIJ St. Theresa’s Convent (STC) overcame CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School (SNG) 2–0 in the final to defend their title in the National B Division Girls Hockey Championship.
In the semi-finals, STC had edged out Teck Whye Secondary 1–0 while SNG beat Seng Kang Secondary by the same scoreline.
Impressively, STC managed to stay unbeaten en route to retaining their title, capping off their season with a 6–1–0 win-draw-loss record. Their only winless game in the campaign was a 1–1 draw against SNG when the two sides met earlier in the preliminary round.
As for SNG, they end their season with a 2–3–2 win-draw-loss record.
Both sides were more or less evenly matched in the final, with possession of the ball distributed quite evenly and both teams having their fair share of attempts at goal. Phylicia Tanandika (SNG #11) showed several instances of great stickwork dribbling through the STC defense, but unfortunately she could not carve out a clear opening for her team.
The match remained goalless at half-time.
In the second half, STC started probing forward more often, as they looked the more likely team to open the scoring. Four minutes in, Alicia Neo (STC #19) went on a mazy run on the left which culminated in the ball hitting the leg of an SNG defender. From the resulting penalty corner, Megan Francis (STC #48) had a shot which flashed just wide off the post.
Seven minutes in, STC’s constant attacking pressure finally paid off as they broke the deadlock. Alicia Neo (STC #19) again went on a brilliant run, dribbling the ball into the D then laying it off for Dhaaneya D/O Ramasamy (STC #23), who smartly evaded the SNG goalkeeper with a sharp turn before slotting the ball into goal.
As a result, SNG were forced to surge forward in attack in search of the equaliser, leaving pockets of space behind in defense. STC duly took advantage, doubling their lead three minutes later through a counter attack. Annabelle Go (STC #42) sprinted forward before crossing to the left for livewire Alicia Neo (STC #19) to sweep the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Thereafter, SNG tried in vain to salvage something from the game but STC managed to hold on for the victory.
On her team’s performance, STC captain Jolene Ng (#38) commented, “I think we fought well together as a team. We felt quite confident today, and we worked well as a team to make the victory happen.”
When asked how she felt about her team retaining the title, she added, “I feel very proud because we worked very hard for one another today, and so all our hard work was not wasted.”
Scoring By Half
STC vs SNG
1st Half: 0–0
2nd Half: 2–0
Scorers
STC
Dhaaneya D/O Ramasamy (#23) — 1 goal
Alicia Neo Xin Min (#19) — 1 goal
STC Roster
Ashley Lim (#17), Megan Francis (#48), Jolene Ng (#38), Meredith Tong (#36), Vivi Serelli Lee Wen (#8), Dhaaneya D/O Ramasamy (#23), Elissa Sofea Bte Mohd R (#43), Alicia Neo (#19), Patricia Tan (#54), Shubhaa D/O Manimaran (#47), Germaine Koh (#15), Niki Ann Tay (#24), Clara Tan (#25), Sardonna Ng (#9), Indira Shamini D/O R (#31), Juna Darlami (#44), Annabelle Go (#42), Nur Nadhirah Hani (#12), Nur Hanisah (#10), Simran Kaur (#45)
SNG Roster
Liu Yutong (#3), Lisa Weng (#20), Phylicia Tanandika (#11), Isabel Chan (#9), Natalie Ong (#10), Shane Cheong (#24), Adabelle Lim (#5), Swee Kim (#23), Hilda Shee (#26), Cheryl Heng (#16), Chloe Koh (#2), Tan Xu Huan (#19), Rae Phua (#17), Valerie Koh (#14), Megan Heng (#25), Tammy Toh (#7), Blythe Hio (#13), Yamin Aye (#15), Natasha Sarah Goh (#18), Pristine Ng (#21)
More photos next page
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