Werribee is just not on the same level in skill and experience as all-conquering Old Xavarians in Hockey Victoria women’s Vic League 2.
The Tigers were outclassed in a 3-1 loss to their high-flying opponents at President’s Park on Saturday.
“Our team really dug in but sometimes you just face a better team,” Werribee coach Les McAlinden told Star Weekly.
“They haven’t lost a game for about two years.”
Werribee blooded another raw teenager as it continues to have one eye on the future.
Goalkeeper Jemmah Nix made her debut for the Tigers at just 16.
And she stood her ground and was not intimidated against a potent Xavs attack, which had averaged 4.25 goals a game prior to this match.
“She was under pressure the whole game and played extremely well,” McAlinden said.
“She stopped a penalty stroke, which was very impressive. She will get heaps of confidence out of that game.”
Nix was told of her place in the starting line-up earlier in the week.
She was a replacement for No. 1 goalie Rachel Catania, who was supposed to be unavailable for the game but her plans fell through.
“She was supposed to be out for the week but her plans changed and she was available,” McAlinden said. “I’d already given the junior the opportunity and she trained well, so I wasn’t going to take it away from her.
“I just backed her and said ‘have a good game and enjoy it’.”
Chloe Pickersgill and Gaby van Dam, two of Werribee’s brightest young prospects, were the standouts for their side.
Pickersgill continues to thrive on the pressure of the captaincy, while van Dam is a consistently strong performer at right half.
“Chloe and Gaby are the future of Werribee Hockey Club,” McAlinden said.
“You can build a team around them and that’s what I’d like to do.”
Emma Tivendale, another bright young prospect, scored Werribee’s only goal.
There is no respite for the sixth placed Tigers, who now face second-ranked WestVic at Ballarat on Saturday.
McAlinden believes his team can cause an upset if they produce the same endeavour they showed against Old Xavarians.
“The tougher the better,” he said. “Our girls lift and want to play against the better teams and want to be competitive. Their minds seem to turn off when we play lower teams.”
Meanwhile, Werribee coughed up a half-time lead in a 4-1 defeat to ladder-leader Gippsland Bulls in the men’s Vic League 2.
The Tigers are mid-table with a 3-3 record ahead of a clash with Mornington Peninsula at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday.
