WA Under-15s National Championships Blog

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Match Day 5 - Tuesday 12 April

WA UNDER-15 GOLD GIRLS THROUGH TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

After wining all 5 of their pool games, the WA Under-15 Girls Gold team faced off against the NSW Stars in a crossover/qualification semi-final at the Hockey Australia Under-15 National championships in Newcastle, NSW this morning.

For many of the WA girls this is their first National Championships as the 2020 Under-13 National Championships were cancelled due to COVID.

It was a nervous and slow start for the Gold girls, NSW scored the very first time they entered the circle in the third minute.

The WA girls overcame this start and began to win the ball in the midfield and earn free hits just outside their attacking circle.

A penalty corner in the 10^th minute was converted with a deflection from Shane Barnard. 

More penalty corners in the 13^th minute put pressure on the NSW goals - Georgia Hiskins was leading the strong WA midfield. 

Two minutes into the second quarter and NSW scored with a reverse stick deflection at the near post, which spurred the WA girls into action.

In the 22^nd minute, Georgia Hiskins scored from a well-placed penalty corner flick and three minutes later, Petra Verster scored her first goal of the tournament from close range on a penalty corner.

In the remaining five minutes of the first half, the WA defence had to work extremely hard to withstand the skills and pace of the star NSW centre forward.

WA defended a PCA after the half time siren, which proved to be a key part of the game. 

The third quarter belonged to WA, with centre forward Ava Fraser Edwards scoring in the 35^th minute with a breakaway and a one-on-one with the NSW GK.

Verster and Hiskins were again in the action in the third quarter, and they earnt a number of free hits.

Fraser-Edwards added a second just before three quarter time with a powerful strike, with WA taking the 5-2 lead.

NSW lifted at the start of the last quarter, with WA GK Sophie Baltas called on to make a number of important saves both along the ground and in the air.

In the last quarter the WA team defended a number of penalty corners and free hits outside the circle.

Three yellow cards were awarded to NSW in the second half but the WA team maintained their discipline and did not concede in the second half.

It was a wonderful team effort and the Gold girls are undefeated heading into the gold medal game versus Queensland Maroon starting at 11.45am (WST) on Wednesday 13 April 2022.

See all the action on Live Hockey.

FULL SCORES

WA Gold Girls 5 defeat NSW Stars 2

Goals: Shane Barnard (10'), Georgia Hiskins (22'), Petra Verster (25') , Ava Fraser Edwards (35') (45')

WA UNDER-15 GOLD BOYS TO PLAY QUEENSLAND IN GOLD MEDAL GAME

The undefeated WA Under-15 Boys Gold team played the NSW Lions in a crossover/qualification semi-final at the Hockey Australia Under-15 National championships to fight towards the gold medal match.

In the early stages of the first quarter, the WA defence had to adjust to the pace of the NSW ball carriers.

Goalkeeper Hugh Van Der Sar was called to action to save two of the NSW penalty corner shots.

In the eighth minute, Harper Kearnan and Harley Muir combined on a fast breakaway to win a penalty corner, with a drag flick from Harrison Regan opening the scoring.

After the first goal the WA midfield of Hudson MacNeill, Jonah Pilatti and Arjun Brian began to exert their influence, with striker Oscar Male very damaging on the right wing.

After the quarter time siren WA had penalty corner chances but unfortunately fell short on scoring again.

Early in the second quarter, the WA defence cleared the ball off their goal line through great goalkeeping again under a lot of pressure from Van Der Sar.

The game was played at a fast pace for the first five minutes of the second quarter.

It was end to end stuff before the heavy rain arrived, with both teams having their chances to score in the second quarter, but WA retained the 1-0 lead at half-time.

The match turned in favour of WA in the first minute of the second half.

The highly skilled and dynamic striker Muir made an intercept and then executed a quick and powerful reverse stick shot which scored.

With a 2-0 lead, the WA ball retention strategy clicked into gear - WA retained the ball across their back four well and they were patient at the right times on the soaked turf.

The midfield was well on top, and they created plenty of attacks and circle entries.

WA had further chances from penalty corners in the third quarter, but they were well saved and WA took the 2-0 lead heading into the final quarter

WA continued to control the match in the last quarter, and they added a third in the 51^st minute from a rare penalty stroke converted by Jonah Pilatti.

This passage of play was one of the highlights of the match and began with great skill from Liam Capes on the left-hand side, which found Muir in the midfield who delivered a well weighted through ball to Oscar Male in the circle who was badly fouled in the act of shooting from close range.

With a 3-0 lead WA played out and controlled the last nine minutes, not allowing NSW many opportunities. 

All up it was a very good defensive performance not to concede a goal in the semi-final.

The Gold boys will play Queensland Maroon in the gold medal game starting at 10am (WST) on Wednesday 13 April 2022. See all the action on Live Hockey.

FULL SCORES

WA Gold Boys 3 defeat NSW Lions 0

Goals: Harrison Regan (8'), Harley Muir (31'), Jonah Pilatti (51')

Match Day 4 - Monday 11 April

The WA women's Gold sit at the top of Pool B's standings and remain undefeated, after securing another dominant victory against the Northern Territory, winning 7-0.

Amongst the goal scorers for the match were Madison Naish, Lauren Healey, Ava Fraser-Edwards (2), Bella Connelly, Billi-Jean Hodge and Katie Wright.

It was a fast start from WA, with two penalty corners were earnt in the first 2 minutes.

The first goal came from the second penalty corner in the 3^rd minute when Madison Naish deflected the ball into the corner after a variation short and to the left.

The next penalty corner saw a second goal from Lauren Healey in the 9^th minute following another clever variation. One minute later Ava Fraser Edwards scored a field goal following a baseline run on the right-hand side. It was 3-0 to WA after 10 minutes.

There were no more goals in the first half despite the control and dominance of the WA team.

The third quarter saw the WA team score three further goals. Bella Connelly scored from the right of the PCA battery, and her hit went nicely into the corner. Billie-Jean Hodge scored her first goal of the tournament in the 38^th minute and Fraser Edwards added a second right on 3 quarter time.

In the last quarter the combination of Katie Wright and Petra Verster combined for the 7^th goal in the 53^rd minute.

A dominant performance for the girls Gold side who look the likely challengers for gold and will face off against New South Wales tomorrow in semifinals two.

The WA girls Black suffered a 2-0 defeat to Queensland Maroon - a fantastic effort by the girls in a match against the top side in Pool A.

In the pre-match meeting the coaches provided a detailed video analysis session to prepare for the clash with the top placed Queensland Maroon. The oppositions structures, patterns, PCA variations and playing styles were explained in detail by the coaches. It was world class match preparation as WA planned a new press. All this preparation was to pay off during the game.

In the first quarter WA produced an outstanding defensive performance and outstanding goalkeeping from Matilda O’Connell - the defence was compact, the marking tight and the tackling was tough and strong.

An injury to O’Connell saw her replaced in the second quarter by Mikayla Sandwell.

The compact and mobile WA press was effective in the second quarter and WA made a number of good attacks down the right-hand side. 

There were no goals in third quarter as WA defended well and had more of the play in the midfield. 

Early in the 4^th quarter Queensland scored a second but it did not deter the Black team. They played hard and well in the last quarter. Celeste Le Roux was strong in the midfield throughout, and the right-hand side patterns worked well in front of the encouraging WA crowd.

The WA goalkeeping was outstanding throughout the game.

The WA boys Gold sit at the top of the standings of Pool A, after securing another victory against ACT.

WA controlled the game from the start.

Very quickly they exerted their ball retention strategy. In a team line up change Oscar Male started at left striker. In the 6^th minute a deft pass from Jonah Pilatti found Male who ran along the left baseline, balanced, committed the goalkeeper before slipping past him. 1-0.

7 minutes later another left baseline run saw Male drag the goalkeeper and finish at the penalty spot before adding his second for the quarter. 2-0 at quarter time.

The second quarter was dominated by WA but they had to wait until the 29^th minute when Adriaan Heyning scored. 3-0 at half time.

It was an impressive first half. There was control from the players in defence, midfield dominance and effective circle entries from the strikers.

WA controlled the play in the third quarter and scored 2 goals in 2 minutes. Harley Muir continued his goalscoring form in the 37^th minute while Andrew Faulds scored 2 minutes later.

In the last quarter the coaches varied their press and the influential Oscar Male moved to the right wing. The midfield was impressive with the silky Arjun Brian having a number of touches. Liam Capes and Bede Wetherell impressed on the left-hand side. Captain Callum Jones showed great skill and poise in his role as the free defender.

After this clinical victory the boys Gold team have topped Pool A and they will now play the NSW Lions in a cross over semi-final which will decide which team progresses to the gold medal game.

After a number of narrow losses, the WA Black team were looking for their first win of the tournament versus NT.

The Off-field team consisting of coaches Keith Old, Donna McKeown and Kellie Sadler had worked hard in the lead up to maintain the players confidence and team morale.

The team started with good enthusiasm. Striker Ben Davies opened the scoring in the 6^th minute.

The Black team had a number of very good chances in the first half. There were a number of near misses, and a goal was disallowed.   

After the half time siren striker Quinn Jones scored the second from a penalty corner. 2-0 at half time.

In the second half the Black team won the game by scoring 3 goals in 4 minutes. Angus Duff scored the third in the 55^th minute. Jack Mills scored from a drag flick on a PCA also in the 55^th minute and then James Shackley scored with a push into the corner of the goals in the 59^th minute.

This turned out to be a very entertaining game with lots of goals. It was a very good team effort which was well supported by the amazing work of the Off Field team.

FULL SCORES

WA girls Gold 7 defeat NT 0

Goals: Madison Naish (3'), Lauren Healey (9'), Ava Fraser-Edwards (10') (45'), Bella COnnelly (34'), Billie-Jean Hodge (38'), Katie Wright (53')

WA girls Black 0 defeated by Queensland Maroon 2

WA boys Gold 5 defeat ACT 0

Goals: Oscar Male (6') (13'), Adriaan Heyning (29'), Harley Muir (35'), Andrew Faulds (37')

WA boys Black 5 defeat NT 1

Goals: Ben Davies (6'), Quinn Jones (30+'), Jack Mills (55'), Angus Duff (55'), James SHackley (59')

Match Day 3 - Saturday 9 April

After day three of the Hockey Australia Under-15s National Championships, the WA Gold girls side continues to dominate at the top of the Pool B standings, securing another victory with a 2-1 win over Victoria to claim four wins from four matches.

WA Gold opened the scoring in the 19th minute through a field goal by Katie Wirght but Victoria replied quickly in the 20th minute.

Another quick reply through Lauren Healey, who brings her tournament goal tally to five, in the the 22nd minute secured the victory for WA with no goals scored for the rest of the match. 

The WA Black girls side played out a close 1-1 draw with ACT to now sit at third on the standings of Pool A.

WA Black's Celeste Le Roux was the lone scorer in the 18th minute.

The WA Gold boys also sit at the top of the standings of Pool A, securing another victory in the tournament, defeating a strong Queensland Gold side 3-2 in a thrilling match.

Gold's Harley Muir opened the scoring for the match early on in the 2nd minute but Queensland Gold replied soon after in the 15th.

WA Gold then applied the attacking pressure, with Muir finding the goal once again early in the second quarter in the 21st minute, with WA's Adriaan Heyning scoring for the side in the 32nd to secure the victory and the top of the standings position for the side.

WA Black boys faced off against Queensland Maroon, who sit at the top of the standings for Pool B, and suffered a 1-4 loss.

A fantastic effort by the boys who look to perform better as the tournament goes on - WA's Jack Mills was the lone scorer for the side in the 56th minute.

FULL SCORES

WA girls Gold 2 defeat Victoria 1

Goals: Katie Wright (19'), Lauren Healey (22')

WA girls Black 1 drew ACT 1

Goals: Celeste Le Roux (18')

WA boys Gold 3 defeat Queensland Gold 2

Goals: Harley Muir (2') (21'), Adriaan Heyning (32')

WA boys Black 1 defeated by Victoria 4

Goals: Jack Mills (56')

Match Day 2 - Friday 8 April

The Western Australian Gold girls side continues their hot form at the Under-15s National Championships and currently sit at second on the standings of Pool B winning all three of their matches thus far.

The girls Gold have now won 8-0,  5-4 and 2-0 against Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland Gold respectively, with Lauren Healey leading the way with four goals.

The WA Black girls sit at third on the standings in Pool A.

The girls Black have fought valiantly across the tournament, coming so close to a win on three occasions with three draws next to their name.

The WA Gold boys have led the way in Pool A, sitting at the top of the standings with two wins and a draw next to their name after defeating Victoria Development 8-1 on the second day of action.

Six individual goalscorers in the match highlighted a well-rounded team effort by the boys.

In Pool B of the boys, WA Black has been unfortunate to not register a win thus far.

In a strong effort by the boys against Tasmania, the side narrowly went down 1-0 but look close to coming away with a win soon.

FULL SCORES

Girls Gold 5 defeat NSW 4  

Goals: Georgia Hiskins (21') (41') (54'), Lauren Healey (9') (28')

WA Black 0 defeated by NSW 7 

Girls Gold 2 defeat QLD Gold 0  

Goals: Ava Fraser Edwards (23'), Madison Naish (48')

Boys Gold 8 defeat Victoria Development 1 

Goals: Harley Muir (1'), Jonah Pilatti (3') (45'), Harper Kearnan (4'), Oscar Male (17') (19'), Liam Capes (26'), Harrison Regan (42') 

Boys Black 0 defeated by Tasmania 1

Boys Black 1 defeated by NSW 3

Goals: Ben Davies (7')

Match Day 1 - Thursday 7 April

It was an impressive start for the WA under-15 boys and girls teams on day one of the Hockey Australia Under-15s National Championships in Newcastle, NSW. 

The boys Golds side got off to a strong start to their tournament securing a 3-0 victory over South Australia. It was a fast paced first quarter, with midfielder Jonah Pilatti opening the scoring with a powerful shot from the right of goals in the seventh minute.

The WA team were strong with their tackling and intercepts in the first half - Finn Bell at right half provided a lot of drive for the side during the match.

South Australia created chances and put the WA defence under pressure in the first half but Callum Jones in goal with his excellent clearance work kept South Australia scoreless.

Two second half goals from Harley Muir and Hudson in the second half gave WA a three-goal lead.

The boys Black side narowly suffered a 3-4 loss to a strong Victorian side in their first match.

In a very competitive and even contest the WA boys fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the first quarter to level the game at the half.

The second half ebbed and flowed with both teams having their chances in an arm wrestle until the end, with Victoria prevailing 4-3. 

The coaches were impressed with the fight back from the team and the effort from the players - the fight back they stated was a result of the team keeping to their structures and the WA Game principles of play.

A dominant performance by the girls Gold side saw them claim an 8-0 drubbing over Tasmania.

The WA girls were switched on, very sharp and took control of the game right from the start, with the strikers linking up  to create created many circle entries and shots.

The pace and hustle of Ava Fraser Edwards was very effective and complimented the skill of the midfield and the other strikers.

Three goals in the second half including a great run from Sascha Bowyer in the 30^th minute gave the team a 4-0 lead at the half.

There was no letting up in the second half, with the passing game from defence and through the midfield creating space and in turn waves of attacks.

A goal from a penalty corner four minutes into the second half gave the team five goals in the first 34 minutes of play.

Three more goals in seven minutes from the 52^nd to 59^th minute was the icing on the cakem with Finlay Reimers scoring two goals in five minutes while Petra Verster scored a very clever reverse stick goal.

In the girls Black side's first match of the day, they ended up with a 1-1 draw against South Australia.

With no score in the first half, the WA Black team took the lead through Celeste Le Roux in the 38^th minute before South Australia equalized 11 minutes later.

In the last quarter the Black team pushed hard, with a number of good passages of play down the right-hand side to create circle entries, with the South Australia defence made to work.

The WA side were made to defend a penalty corner after the final siren to keep the score at 1-1 and earn the team a draw.

The second game of the day for the WA Black team was played in heavy rain and on a rain-soaked turf but despite the wet conditions, the team adjusted well.

It was Victoria who scored first in the 18^th minute. 

The WA girls lifted in the third quarter, with a highlight of the second half a passage of play that led to the equalizing goal.

Midfielder Celeste Le Roux delivered a wonderful pass that created a breakaway opportunity for striker Stevi Townsend and she took it running 30 metres with defenders chasing her before balancing to shot past the goalkeeper. 

In the 51st minute, WA had a penalty corner which appeared to go in the goals, but it was not awarded.

FULL SCORES 

Boys Gold 3 defeat South Australia 0 

Goals: Jonah Pilatti (7'), Harley Muir (39'), Hudson MacNeill (47')

Boys Black 3 defeated by Victoria 4

Goals: Charlie Hampson (15'), James Shackley (19'), Angus Duff (33')

Girls Gold 8 defeat Tasmania 0  

Goals: Shane Barnard (11'), Ava Fraser Edwards (17'), Lauren Healey (26') (34'), Sascha Bowyer (30'), Petra Verster (52'), Finlay Reimers(54') (59')

Girls Black 1 drew South Australia 1 

Goals: Celeste Le Roux (39')

Girls Black 1 drew Victoria Development 1

Goals: Stevi Townsend (49')