There’s not many tougher prospects on a hockey field than being a goalkeeper during a shootout, especially when you’ve never been involved in one.
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With that in mind, spare a thought for Suzuki Strikers shot-stopper Kathryn Cox.
Having never stood in goals during a penalty shootout before, the young gun was faced with just that in Sunday’s inaugural John Davis Motors Women’s Superleague gala day – not once, not twice, but thrice.
Three out of the Strikers’ four games ended in shootouts on Sunday and while Cox proved herself cooler than the other side of the pillow under pressure, the side still came out of the nail-biting fixtures with one win, one draw and one loss.
The Strikers won their other game to sit atop the standings with the JDM Jokers, boasting the same record.
The Renault Royals and Volvo Vikings each scored two wins and suffered two losses, while the Mazda Maulers could only muster one win.
“The Maulers were my pre-tournament pick as favourites but just couldn’t deliver on the day. Lots of opportunities, little conversion,” Superleague coordinator Scott Baker said.
“Kathryn Cox did a good job in those shootouts, not often you’ll see three in one day, let alone for the same side.
“Rachel Pengilly was instrumental for the Jokers while Sandy Cook for very good for the Strikers.
“The women all picked up the unique rules quickly and they worked out structures in the fast-paced, nine-a-side game quickly as well.
“Everyone had a ball, it was a great way to start the competition for both the women and the men.”
The Nic Milne-led Jokers are on top of the men’s standings with three wins from four games while the Vikings, Royals and Maulers are locked in a three-way battle for second with two wins and two losses apiece.
The Maulers were my pre-tournament pick as favourites but just couldn’t deliver on the day.
- Superleague coordinator Scott Baker
The Strikers, the reigning champions, are last, with one win.
The Jokers trumped the Strikers in a shootout too, after a controversial equaliser on full-time. The Jokers comfortably won the shootout.
“It was great seeing players of all ages and levels mix together again, the Premier League Hockey players were very impressed with some of the grade players,” Baker said.
“The men’s Viking side had a massive age gap too. Dennis Walker’s in his 60s, Charlie D’Aquino and Wayne Newton are over 55s players and then you had 13-year-old Liam Wilson too.
“Wayne was heard asking for a seniors discount at the canteen.
“There’ll be plenty of these players at the state titles this weekend too, so good luck to them.”