The first XI Girls Football team kicked off their season with a hit out against Pukekohe High on Wednesday.
After a number of 6.30am trainings in Term 1 and early in Term 2, the girls were keen to put their skills on display and keep their eyes open. A 9-0 loss to Pukekohe last season was certainly something Sancta wanted to address.
With goalie Orla Edwards rushing to the game from an internal, the girls were forced to start without her and Kelsey Stowers bravely volunteered to don the imaginary gloves (coach Goulding had forgotten spares).
Sancta were 3-0 down before Edwards and winger Caroline Barbafiera appeared after hopefully achieving Excellence in their Science internal. A few quick subs saw Edwards back in between the posts and Barbafiera ready to attack the holes in Pukekohe’s defence.
4-0 down at half time forced the girls to reassess their game plan and start supporting each other on the field. A long strike from a Pukekohe attacker put Sancta back 5-0 early in the second half, but all hope was not lost.
The girls came alive for the rest of the game with Laura Mattson directing her defenders to shut down the opposition’s attack and Barbafiera making some brilliant runs down the wing. In an attacking play worthy of Messi, Barbafiera, following up on a cross from the left, blasted the ball into the net to give Sancta their first goal of the game and the season.
While no more goals were to be had for either side, the second half showed the Sancta girls’ ability to shut down opposition and their confidence in attack. Elizabeth Ralph-Smith, an unexpected preseason find, received Player of the Day on her debut after her solid effort on defence and threat as an attacking fullback and central midfielder.
Things are looking positive for Sancta Maria College’s football girls this year.
