1^st Team Hockey IAPS Qualifiers

Champions!!!

On a bright Wednesday morning, the girls arrived at Glenalmond full of anticipation and ready for the IAPS Qualifiers. With a solid game plan in place, they were prepared for the challenging day ahead. In tournament hockey, starting strong is crucial, and our first match was against a formidable opponent, Sedbergh. We knew it would be a tough game, but the girls rose to the occasion. From the first whistle, we played with intent, driving forward with purpose and securing an impressive 3-0 win. It was a fantastic start to the day.

Next up was Belhaven, a team we knew well from an exciting encounter earlier in the season. The match didn’t disappoint, and we saw some excellent team play. A beautifully executed team goal came from a great combination of passes between Emily M, Athena P, Scarlett J, and Emily B, culminating in a superb finish. Despite a late push from Belhaven, our defence held firm, and we clinched a well-deserved 1-0 victory.

Our third game was against Ardvreck, and while we made some changes to the starting lineup, we maintained our tactical approach. Ardvreck proved to be disciplined, keeping the game tight and narrow. However, our persistence paid off as we eventually stretched the game wide, breaking through their defence to secure a 2-0 win. This victory confirmed our spot in the semi-finals.

The semi-final match against St. Mary’s was always going to be challenging, especially since we had faced them just days before in the final at the Loretto 7s. We started strong, creating early chances and managing to convert one. However, the game wasn’t without its tense moments, and Ceci made two crucial saves to keep us in the lead. The girls showed resilience and determination, holding off a strong St. Mary’s side to win 1-0 and advance to the final.

By reaching the final, we had already qualified for the National Finals in Stamford, which took some of the pressure off. The girls seemed relaxed and confident as they took to the field, and it showed in their play. We stuck to our successful tactics, focusing on exploiting the right side of the pitch. Fettes, our opponents, displayed excellent structure and ball movement, but our defence held firm. In the end, we emerged victorious, claiming the gold medal.

A huge well done to all the girls for playing so brilliantly as a team. Well done to Emily B for being awarded top goal scorer and Scarlett J for being voted player of the tournament. Onward to the finals—bring it on!