TURNOVERS proved costly for St Pat’s on Saturday in the women’s Premier League Hockey major semi-final as Lithgow Panthers emerged 5-1 victors.
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Taking on the undefeated minor premiership-winning Panthers in Lithgow was always going to be a challenge for St Pat’s, and coach Chris Conroy knew his side had to produce its best to be any chance of an upset.
But too many of the Saints’ passes found the stick of a Panthers rival.
“We just gave away too much possession, we turned the ball over 20 times in that first half,” Conroy said.
“They are just that sort of team, they are in your face and you can’t give them that much ball.”
Despite Panthers dominating possession in the first stanza, the Saints defended grimly to be 2-0 down at the break.
“Our defence in that first half was actually pretty good. Lithgow were a bit frustrated at half-time, they had seven short corners in that first half and we kept them to two goals,” Conroy said.
Panthers pushed out to a 3-0 lead in the second half before Kristy Ekert pulled one back for Pat’s off a penalty corner.
It gave her side some hope, but in the end weight of possession saw Panthers go on to a four-goal win.
The win gives Panthers a home grand final, while St Pat’s will now fight Bathurst City for the right to join them.