The women’s team of Mooroopna Hockey Club achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the grand final of the Victorian State League 2 competition, where they faced off against the powerhouse of Waverley Panthers. Despite losing the match by 3-1, the team showed great spirit and resilience, and made their club and community proud.
A Historic Journey to the Grand Final
Mooroopna Hockey Club, which is based in the Goulburn Valley region, has been playing in the regional hockey league (RHL) for many years, but this year they decided to take on a bigger challenge and enter the state league competition. The club fielded two teams, one for men and one for women, in the second division of the state league, which consists of 12 teams from across Victoria.
The women’s team, coached by former Australian representative Nicole Donaldson, had a stellar season, finishing second on the ladder with 11 wins, two draws and three losses. They scored 51 goals and conceded only 19, with star players Hannah Vibert, Tegan Holland and Jess Donaldson leading the way. They also had a strong defensive unit, led by goalkeeper Jess Laidlaw and captain Sarah Vibert.
The team qualified for the finals series, where they faced Essendon Ladies in the semi-final. They won the match by 2-1, thanks to goals from Holland and Donaldson. This victory secured them a spot in the grand final, where they would meet Waverley Panthers, who had finished on top of the table with an unbeaten record.
A Valiant Effort Against a Strong Opponent
The grand final was held on Saturday, September 23 at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne. It was a historic occasion for Mooroopna Hockey Club, as it was the first time that any of their teams had reached a state league grand final. The match was also live-streamed on YouTube, allowing their supporters and families to watch from home.
The match was a tough contest, as Waverley Panthers showed why they were the dominant team in the competition. They scored two goals in the first half, putting Mooroopna under pressure. However, Mooroopna did not give up, and fought back in the second half. They scored a goal through Holland, who converted a penalty corner. They also created some chances to equalize, but could not find the net. Waverley sealed their victory with a third goal in the final minutes, ending the match at 3-1.
A Proud Moment for Mooroopna Hockey Club
Despite the loss, Mooroopna Hockey Club was proud of their women’s team for their remarkable achievement. They congratulated them on their social media pages, and thanked them for representing the club and the region with honour and dignity. They also thanked their coach Nicole Donaldson for her guidance and leadership throughout the season.
The team received a lot of praise and support from their fans and peers, who applauded them for their courage and skill. They also received a warm welcome when they returned to their home ground at McLennan Park on Sunday. The club president Peter Holland said that it was a historic moment for Mooroopna Hockey Club, and that he was very proud of the team.
He said that the team had shown that they could compete with the best teams in Victoria, and that they had inspired many young girls to take up hockey. He also said that he hoped that the team would continue to play in the state league next year, and aim for another grand final appearance.
