The Perth Thundersticks women’s team are off to a winning start in defence of their Hockey One title with a 3-0 away victory over the Tassie Tigers in round one.
The back-to-back champions combined disciplined defence with efficient attacking pressure, with Courtney Schonell and Madi Ratcliffe lively in attack, and Annie Gibbs and Georgia Wilson solid in defence.
The Thundersticks struck first in the second quarter, capitalising on an early penalty corner earned by Sophie Nation. Ratcliffe’s initial shot created the opportunity, with Jolie Sertorio pouncing on the rebound and firing home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The Thundersticks doubled their advantage early in the third quarter after Neasa Flynn produced a surging run through midfield, with Schonell on hand to finish and make it 2-0. But the chance for a field conversion went begging as Dalton fended off Schonell’s shot.
Perth continued to press, earning a series of penalty corners through sustained attacking pressure.
They continued to control proceedings in the final quarter, creating a string of attacking opportunities as they searched for a third goal. The Thundersticks were eventually rewarded when Schonell fired home in the last from a penalty corner to extend the lead to 3-0.
Summer Greenway was named player of the match for her outstanding performance in the net on debut.
The men fell behind early before mounting a determined comeback but it was not enough, going down 4-2 to Tassie.
The Thundersticks struck first, Daykin Stanger creating the breakthrough after forcing an early penalty corner that was converted by Ian Grobbelaar.
But the Tigers responded swiftly, with Sam McCulloch finding the back of the net from open play before the Tigers converted a penalty stroke through Ehren Hazell.
Tasmania dictated much of the play in the second quarter, eventually converting their pressure into goals, with Oscar Pritchard finding the back of the net from a penalty corner to extend the lead. Joshua Brooks then converted from a penalty corner late in the quarter to take a 4-1 lead into half-time.
The Thundersticks showed plenty of positive intent in the third quarter but could not find a goal.
They were eventually rewarded from a penalty corner in the last when Brodee Foster reacted quickest to a rebound and fired home to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
In a final attacking gamble, goalie Hunter Banyard was withdrawn in the closing minutes to provide an extra field player but Tassie’s defence held firm under pressure.
The Thundersticks are away again this Saturday to the Melbourne Cobras.