Werribee took a giant leap forward with a 2-1 win over MHSOB in the Hockey Victoria women’s Vic League 2 on Sunday.
The Tigers’ young guns came to the fore at the MHS-MCC Hockey Facility with Claudia Beamish, Emma Tivendale and Caitlin Spence having a major impact on the result.
“They were the shining stars of a good win,” Tigers coach Les McAlinden told Star Weekly.
Werribee was in a tough spot at the end of the last season when it lost a fair bit of experience from the squad.
But instead of plugging holes with recruits, the Tigers opted to blood talented youth from their junior system, even if it meant a little short-term pain.
It has not been easy for the Tigers this season with just two wins and a draw from eight games, but McAlinden has seen enough in the youngsters to persist with the youth strategy.
“[After we lost] so many quality players last year, with the amount of games experience, I thought we’ve got to play the juniors because they’re the future of the club,” he said.
“You know what, they’re just working beautifully at the moment. Every challenge I throw at them, they accept it and do it well.”
Beamish and Casey Tunstall scored Werribee’s goals against MHSOB.
But it was the build-up to the goals that impressed McAlinden the most.
“The ones we scored were good team goals,” he said.
“The ball went through four or five players before it ended up in the back of the net.”
The competition goes into recess for the Queen’s birthday weekend and McAlinden is hoping it doesn’t halt his team’s momentum heading into a must-win game against bottom side Gippsland Bulls on June 18.
Meanwhile, a single goal was enough to bring about Werribee’s downfall to MHSOB in the men’s Vic League 2.
The Tigers will go into the break sitting fifth on the ladder with three wins and a draw from eight games.
