ORANGE yesterday began its 2014 Hockey NSW Under 13s Girls’ Field State Championship campaign in the best possible fashion, thumping Sydney (3) 4-0 at the Orange Hockey Complex.
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Contesting their first pool game of the division two championship, Orange belted home three first half goals to Eva Reith-Snare, Pip Mannix and Heidi Townsend to set up the momentum-building victory, with a second-half winner to Chelsea White capping the four-goal triumph.
Although thrilled with the win, Orange coach Fiona Reith said her side is likely to hit stiffer competition when it faces the likes of Far North Coast, Goulburn and Sutherland (1) in its remaining three games.
“I think it was a good warm up game ... I don’t think it’s indicative of the standard of the other teams in the pool though,” she said of her side’s first win.
“We’ve got a strong pool so I was quite surprised.
“We stuck to our structure and that’s all I can ask.”
Reith believes after her side’s 2013 state championship campaign, Orange has a strong enough side to at least push for a spot in the semi-finals tomorrow.
“Last year we made it through to the final, so for the girls who were in the team last year I’m sure they’d like to go all the way, but I think the goal is to finish top two in our pool and go from there,” she said.
“Against Sydney we played good hockey and stuck to our structure. When we do that everyone in the side has a job, and there’s an element of trust.
“We’ve got some experienced players this year too which helps.”
Running out today in predicted top temperatures of seven degrees celsius, Orange plays Far North Coast (2pm) and Goulburn (5pm) to round out their pool games.
Reith was banking on the home ground advantage to get her side over the line.
“I’m hoping it’s really cold for them,” she laughed.