When it comes to winning semi-finals eliminators, it doesn't get much more satisfying than silencing a home ground with a golden goal triumph.
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That's what Pete Shea's CYMS did at Bathurst on Saturday as the fourth-placed green and golds continued their meteoric rise up the Premier League Hockey rankings with a 3-2 victory over St Pat's.
It was flier Libby Smith who netted the winning shot as the followed through on a deflection off the keeper, slamming it home for the win.
Conceding the opening goal can sometimes rattle a side, but Shea says Pat's early breakthrough helped his women click into gear.
"It composed us if anything," Shea said.
"We settled down and were able to implement our game-plan."
When Smith scored the decisive point, CYMS weren't sure if they wanted to celebrate, or keep playing.
"It took us a while to realise that we'd just won," he said.
"After that, the girls were ecstatic. To see our structures be that effective against one of the better teams is very rewarding."
To see our structures be that effective against one of the better teams is very rewarding.
- Pete Shea.
It's those structures that will need to continue to improve as Shea has a grand-final berth in sight, but won't get ahead of himself with another game to go.
"We need to keep working hard," he said.
"But, that game definitely gave us more self-confidence."
As for areas to improve moving forward...
"We need to defend as a unit," he said.
"We did that in stages against St Pat's and we were really effective when we did it."
CYMS will face the winner of Sunday's grand-final qualifier between Orange United and Lithgow Panthers.
If Lithgow wins, the green and golds would have the benefit of a home semi final next weekend.
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