MOLLYMOOK’S Kalindi Commerford and her Canberra Strikers have won the women’s bronze medal at the last ever Australian Hockey League - defeating the Victorian Vipers in a penalty shootout, after the game ended 4-all.
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After trailing early the Strikers rallied behind impressive performances from captain Edwina Bone and Sophie Gaughan in front of a packed house.
The Victorians answered through a late PumpPlay goal to Madi Ratcliffe which sent the game to a shootout.
Naomi Evans had a chance to open the scoring in the 14th minute of the game.
The Striker wrongfooted two opponents before running the ball baseline, her pass into the D was intercepted and Sarah Breen was able to get the Vipers out of trouble with the breakaway.
Lily Brazel broke the scoring drought, firing a shot past Strikers goalkeeper Rene Hunter in the 17th minute.
Brazel showed off her skills, slipping the ball past Hunter’s pads for the conversion.
The Victorian lead didn’t last long, Canberra hit the scoreboard in the 23rd minute through Sophie Gaughan.
Gaughan’s spectacular field goal found the corner of the net and her conversion was just as impressive.
Edwina Bone started off the second half on fire, drag flicking a penalty corner shot through congestion and over Lynch’s shoulder.
Leading 3-2 the Strikers continued to mount pressure on the Victorian defence, creating several penalty corners in quick succession.
As the third quarter came to a close, Canberra drew another penalty corner.
This time Edwina Bone found Elena Tice with the pass and her strike was true, firing the shot out of Lynch’s reach.
The scoreboard didn’t change again until the Victorian PumpPlay, a penalty corner chance saw Madi Ratcliffe tie things up.
Ratcliffe received the ball after a reset and delivered a powerful flick past Hunter for double points.
The Stikers could’ve sealed the match on the final hooter with their penalty corner opportunity.
Edwina Bone mirrored her play from the third quarter, delivering a pass to Tice whose shot was deflected by Lynch.
Drawn at fulltime, the match went to penalty shootouts. Hunter denied the shot from Emily Hurtz to start the proceedings. Canberra’s Tina Taseska was worried out of her stroke, sending the ball wide of the goal.
After sending the game to overtime, Ratcliffe stood up but her shot was deflected by Hunter as well.
Beckie Middleton was the first to find the goals, sliding her shot through Lynch’s legs.
Brazel was pressured out of her opportunity, Hunter forced the shot wide.
Tice found the backboard with a powerful shot past Lynch’s pads and put the Strikers in a winning position.
Krissy Bates approach was beautifully defended by Hunter who secured the bronze medal for Canberra.
