Yesterday we played against ECHO at home. We had two games left of the season before finals, and we needed to win one last game to secure a finals berth. I really looked forward to the game as ECHO (Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation) as I knew from last time we met it was going to be a close and fair match. Some weeks, the game can get a bit nasty and have found some teams really unpleasant to play against. ECHO are definately not in this catagory, I really hope they make the finals.

As I predicted it was a close game, our girls were overpowered in the first 15mins forcing short corners. We were able to keep the shots on goal out, and forced the ball back to our attack with a stronger attack approach pushing our defense higher up the ground. We made use of the rebound and short corner and scored twice in the first half to go up 2-0. A fast break from ECHO caught our defence off guard, a quick cross through the circle and and a goal was scored. The first half ended on 2-1 our way. I was quite disapointed with the way I was rebounding the shots - most were not making the clearance sufficient to clear our defensive circle.

Second half, and we scored early taking our lead out to 3-1. Unfortunately we were tiring, and found the ball hovering in the middle of the ground. Yet again another fast break into the circle for ECHO and sharp cross saw another goal scored taking the final match score to 3-2 our way.
Another win, which confirms a place for us in the finals. Well done girls!

This week at training, I really need to concentrate on my rebounds, the angle and direction. It can make the difference between a win and a loss!

Go Cougars!!

Another week and the lead up to another important game. Our team has to only win one more game to secure a place in the finals, with only two games left of the home/away season.
Can we pull it off??

Here is our new logo and banner - Our club as of this year has moved and changed names to reflect our new location. With this new logo, we are hoping for a new start: New image, new uniform (we will be using it as an alternate strip until we phase it in full time) new approach.




What do you think?

This was our old logo, which is pretty generic and classic as hockey club logos go. We wanted something different that makes an impact.



We want to incorporate more of the light blue "sky" colour, and the "emerald" green to eliminate colour clashes - alot of teams use the Navy blue as a base colour.

I am looking forward to the new designs for the uniform, not that I will get to wear any of it! Here is a little something I came up with on the Kombat Clothing Website. This is something I think we should go towards, keeping our traditional colours.



We are not the only one changing our logo - Hockey Victoria has changed its logo also to align with Hockey Australia and other states to form a "united brand". I must admit is better than the old logo and I do like that all the states including Hockey Australia using it (with their respective colours) but I am not a fan of the overall look - I feel its a bit too basic. In saying that the positives outweigh the negitives. It will be easier to recognise as hockey and across all states for promotion - so lets see how it works out (as of today Hockey SA and Hockey WA have not changed their logo to match.)

Game played, and I finally feel like I can relax. Being a little rushed to the game, the adrenaline was already pumping. Thankfully, the girls had learnt from their mistake last week and all arrived sober and raring to go. Game was off to a good start, we scored early but struggled to keep possesion in our attacking half. I made a few great saves, even surprised myself with some that I did make. The one I was most proud of - an overhead shot off a short corner, I saved with my stick and glove off the ground and deflected over the backline. I felt it was going in, but it would not have counted as it was the first shot; On short corners the first strike for goal must attempt/hit the backing board at the base of the goal. Was still a great save that I am particualary proud of.
With a run challenge save (I approached the player and deflected the ball) a chest leg and even a crotch save, we ended the first half with a 1-0 lead. Being the only one at half time that was dry and not resembling a drowned rat, the girls envied me!
Second half was more even, and again we scored taking our lead out to 2-0. Unfortunately our girls were tiring and a fast break could not be cut down and nice drag flick from our opposition scored their first. I was pretty devistated I missed it, I always analyse what happened again and again to try and think what I could have done better.
Another push back to our attacking end and the girls scored again taking our win with 5mins to go to 3-1.

Much better game by my girls this week - It has made me worried in the last week with finals approaching how the team has worked together. This week has renewed my faith - they can work together well and dominate across the field. After having 2 drag flick goals in 2 weeks against me, I need to take some time aside and work with some of the Mens team at training to work on those saves. Our girls are not quite up to that level yet, I need to practise this to ensure I am ready and confident for the finals. Only 2 more games to go, its exciting!!

GO COUGARS!!

Night before the game. Im trying to relax and enjoy a quiet evening at home, but can never get the upcoming game off my mind. After a devestating loss last week, I really want a strong win to seal my first hockey finals as a keeper. I have played in hockey finals before, and have won, but only as a field player. Its a new experience, and I am slightly nervous about it as I feel there is more pressure in this position than as a field player. I am the only keeper, if I miss the ball there will not be another keeper to stop a potentially game loosing score. All I can hope for is my girls to be as strong in attack as I know they are in defence - Goals may not be our strong point but we are certainly strong in shutting down our opposition before they can have a shot on goal. Over the current season, as a team we have only conceeded 13 goals over 15 games.
Tomorrow is another day, a can of scotch to relax before a goodnights sleep should keep my mind at ease. In the back of mind, I will still be trying to make those saves.

Wish me luck, we play 2pm @ Monash Uni Clayton Sunday.

Reaction is the key to Goalkeeping

A game for a bit of fun; hockey goalkeeping (field and ice) is limited by your reaction speed. Most keepers start out with the basics - stop the goal! Give this game a go and see if you can get the highest score!