By Lance Jenkinson
Werribee was under immense pressure to keep hold of its Hockey Victoria women’s Vic League 1 berth – and did so with a stirring come-from-behind 3-1 win over Brunswick at President’s Park on Saturday.
The Tigers knew they would keep their spot in the second tier of Victorian hockey if they could avoid losing to the Wicks by two or more goals.
Tigers coach Les McAlinden tried to keep his players calm and they appeared to be relatively relaxed entering the match – until Brunswick took the lead and panic stations set in.
“There was a lot riding on the game, but we tried not to focus on the result we had to get,” McAlinden said.
“I said to the girls, ‘Just go out and enjoy yourselves, it’s just another game, don’t stress about the outcome’. It was stressful for a while after Brunswick scored first.”
One goal either way would have a dramatic effect on the game.
If Brunswick got the next goal, it might have broken Werribee’s resolve. If Werribee got it, they were almost certainly remaining in the division next season.
The all-important second goal came for Werribee through Chloe Pickersgill.
At 1-1, Werribee could once again dictate the tempo of play, leaving Brunswick to get inventive in search of two goals.
“They tried to throw everything at us,” McAlinden said. “They even took off their goalkeeper and put on an extra forward … we just defended well and played terrific hockey. We scored second and third goals, so that made it even more sweeter.”
Caitlin Spence and Catherine Munro fired in the Werribee goals that will keep them in Vic League 1 next season.
The Tigers will have a new look next season.
After 16 years on-and-off involvement with the club, McAlinden has announced he will be stepping down from the coaching position.
Young gun Claudia Beamish looks set for a move to Altona to try her hand at the Women’s Premier League.
McAlinden is hoping the next coach can bring Vic League 1 success to Werribee.
“To get them up to Vic League 1 and sustain it for this year was terrific,” McAlinden said. “So they’re going in the right direction.”
Werribee finished the men’s Vic League 2 regular season with a 5-1 win over ECHO. Sam Huxtable scored twice for the Tigers, while Jamie Beamish, Michael Gallo and Bailey Willet also found the back of the net.
Werribee qualified for finals in fourth spot.
