KANERVA HAT TRICK SEALS VICTORY AGAINST SLOVAKIA

The Australians had a long break between the morning match yesterday and were itching to get onto the court and prove themselves against a skilled and fit Slovakian team. The Slovaks had unexpectedly, some would say, slipped in their opening match against the Netherlands, but found their form against struggling Italy. They were beginning to find their shape.

Sharpening up in front of goal would be the order of the day for the Aussies, and the morning training session helped to iron it out the rough spots. Bouyed by the positives from the Singapore match, particularly the defensive performance, the Aussies were carrying a lot of confidence into the match.

Slovakia struck twice early in the match and had a late charge at the end, but with awesome defence combined with some sharp shooting, Australia held on to win. A sterling performance from the youngest player in the squad during the second period guaranteed the points would be allocated in full to the girls from Down Under!! Jemima’s Kanerva’s hat trick in 16 minutes helped Australia turn the game around and take away the valuable points.

Early in the first period it was clear that the Slovakians would attack and shoot with vigour. Their forward moves paid off after just 5 minutes and again just 6 minutes later and Australia was starting to wonder if it was going to be their day. Was it a nervous start for Australia? It shouldn’t have been, but they shifted gear and settled, keeping the Slovaks from scoring further up to the first break. 0-2.

The period break gave the Aussies a chance to compose and within the first minute of the second period they had their chance to get on the scoreboard with the first of 3 power plays. Jemima Kanerva converted a Jessica Laidler cross and it was 1-2. Now they were on the board Keithy’s Crusaders were starting to find their pace.

The goal gave the girls a much needed boost and they began to take control of possession, and the match. Another powerplay opportunity came for the Aussies an just after Slovakia returned to full strength, Tara Keogh scored her first for the tournament to level the match. 2-2.

90 seconds later and another fanastic strike from Jemima Kanerva put the Aussies in front. It was pandemonium in the stands and the Aussie flags were almost waved off their sticks. 3-2.

In the 18th minute, another penalty against the Slovakians gave the Aussie Angels another chance to increase their lead. It took only 9 seconds of 5 on 4 before Kanerva struck again! Fantastic, 4-2 and the Slovaks were in shock. She was wonderfully supported by Jill Roberts and Tash Glass and the Slovaks found the Aussie centre and both forwards too hot to handle. Australia had completely dominated the period and took the 2 goal lead into the second break.

Third period and continued dominance by Australia. The lines were working hard and putting together some great passing plays. Shortly after 5 minutes and captain Tash Glass topped off her great efforts with a goal… assisted by guess who? None other than Miss Kanerva herself, not content with just shooting goals. 5-2.

3 minutes later and a super throw from Leith Woods released Jessica Laidler up front and she worked her way in front of the Slovak keeper to slot Australia’s 6th goal. 6-2 and a time-out is called for Australia.

Australia began to tire in the last 10 minutes with mostly only 2 lines being used. They worked hard for each other for the rest of the match to hold out the Slovakians, who managed to find the target again after being kept scoreless for 30 minutes. 6-3. With what seemed like another very long 3 minutes, another successful forward move by the Slovakians took the score to 6-4.

3 ½ minutes to go and the Aussies were still giving everything in defence. A quite possibly match winning dive from Stacey Wallace, knocking the ball off away from the goal line, was the epitomy of how much the Aussies wanted to win this match. So determined was the defender, she even found herself stuck in the Slovak goal later in the period, after a valiant attempt at pushing the scoreline out to 7-4, but it remained at 6-4.

Slovakia closed the margin to just 1 goal with only 2 seconds left on the clock, but it wasn’t going to help them steal a point. 6-5 and the match was won.

A huge team effort, positivity until the very very end, commendable maturity and with full belief in each other, the girls won the match and took the points to find themselves sitting in 2nd place in the Group C table.

(0-2, 4-0, 2-3) Australia 6 defeated Slovakia 5.

Jemima Kanerva 3 goals, 1 assist, Jessica Laidler 1+1, Tara Keogh 1+0, Tash Glass 1+0 and Jill Roberts 0+1.

Player of the Match AUSTRALIA – Mel Cathie (*Mel stood up in the dressing room after the match and humbly handed the award to Jemima for her fantastic effort.)