The Canberra Chill women took a huge stride towards securing a maiden Hockey One title after a convincing 4 – 1 win over the NSW Pride in front of a parochial home crowd on Saturday afternoon.
The NSW Pride opened the scoring early in the first quarter, however, a great conversion save from Chill keeper Sarah Steinhardt kept to the lead to 1 – 0 despite NSW’s early dominance.
On the stroke of the first quarter break, the Chill’s Kaitlin Cotter celebrated her call up to the NZ Black Sticks side with a strong short corner shot that rattled the back board and got the home side back on level pegging at 1 – 1.
From that point forward, the Chill dominated and controlled the contest. A second quarter goal to Irish import Roisin Upton gave the Chill a 2 – 1 lead heading in the half time break.
The Chill then took a strangle hold early in the third quarter with a beautiful pass from Katie Mullan finding the ever-present Naomi Evans for a gorgeous deflection. Evans converted the opportunity, and the Chill would never relinquish to take out a strong 4 – 1 win over their more fancied opponents.
The Chill will now have a chance to take out their first Hockey One Title and a maiden title at a senior championship in the Territory’s history when they take on the Brisbane Blaze tomorrow. Brisbane won their way through to the final with a heart-stopping shoot out win over the Perth Thundersticks.
The Chill vs Blaze match will take place at the The National Hockey Centre at Lyneham at 3.30pm tomorrow, Sunday 26 November.
Hockey ACT CEO Rob Sheekey urged Canberrans to come out and support the team even if they aren’t hockey fans.
“The Canberra Chill women have been incredible this season and we would love to Chill the Joint tomorrow and get a huge crowd out to support them in a home grand final. Even if you haven’t seen hockey before, you will love the atmosphere and can cheer on a local team to what would be an incredible win,” Sheekey said.
The action will start at 11.30am with the two bronze medal matches, followed by the Chill at 3.30pm and the Men’s grand final at 5.30pm. Tickets are available through Intix.
