A lack of polish in front of goal has been Orange CYMS’ one downfall in the opening half of the women’s Premier League Hockey season but in Saturday’s grinding, scoreless draw against Bathurst St Pat’s, it was Saints goalkeeper Lilli-Rai Campbell’s unbelievable performance that played a bigger factor.
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St Pat’s stalwart Julie Hanman explained her side’s shot-stopper was simply incredible in holding out the green and golds in Saturday’s second-versus-third showdown at Bathurst’s Bob Roach Field – the Saints are CYMS are now third and fourth, respectively.
The green and golds enjoyed the lion’s share of attacking chances across the 70 minutes but couldn’t find a way past the young goalkeeper, who is from Dubbo but now plays in Bathurst after a stint with Confederates.
“[Campbell] was amazing, she was our players’ player. [CYMS] just couldn’t get anything past her,” Hanman said, going on to label her side’s entire defensive group as a “brick wall”.
“Lucy Weal and Kiralee Naylor were just amazing to watch, our defence played out of their skins.”
With St Pat’s and CYMS boasting the best offensive and defensive records in the competition, respectively, the round seven clash looked all but certain to be an arm wrestle and it was exactly that.
Even without gun striker Kristy Ekert it was always going to be a task for the Saints to breach CYMS’ defensive end, the green and golds have only conceded four goals all season.
They’re one of only two sides to have not conceded double digits, along with competition leaders Bathurst City, which has let in six goals so far.
That proved the case as CYMS didn’t concede any corners for the entire clash, with all of St Pat’s attacking opportunities being forced from the field.
Hanman did say she expects a different result if Ekert fronts for the two sides’ return clash at Orange Hockey Centre in round 14, the last game of the regular season.
Granted, that’s assuming CYMS don’t get any better in front of goal too, a pretty unlikely scenario considering the outfit’s class and coach in Pete Shea.
“I think it was a fair result, but if you put Kristy Ekert back into the mix then look out,” she predicted.
“I think we were lacking a little bit up front today probably because we’re so used to having Kristy there controlling things for us.
“Once she comes back into the side I feel like it will be a different result.”
- BATHURST ST PAT’S 0 drew with ORANGE CYMS 0
