Teck Whye Secondary clinch C Division girls’ hockey title in thrilling penalty shootout

Story and photos by Marvin Lowe/Red Sports.

Delta Sports Complex, Monday, August 4, 2008 – In a thrilling finish to the C Division Girls’ Hockey Championship in earlier this year, Teck Whye Secondary beat CHIJ St Nicholas’ Girls 2-1 on penalties to clinch the championship crown. It was game that went beyond the 60 minutes of normal time and the 10 minutes of extra time. In the much dreaded penalty flicks, Teck Whye goalkeeper, Jing Yi, was outstanding, making four crucial saves.

Teck Whye played the game with a high tempo attack, relying on their pacy wingers to make constant raids down the St Nicholas flanks. In the early parts of the game, Teck Whye made many forays into the goal area, earning several short corners in the process. However, they were not able to convert any of these chances due to the stout St Nicholas defense, much to their frustration. St Nicholas Girls’ attacked on the counter but they found no headway either.

In the second half, Teck Whye kept up the pressure but their constant harrying of the St Nicholas defense still yielded no reward. This time around, St Nicholas began to step up their counter attacks. A mistake by a Teck Whye defender allowed a St Nicholas forward to dispossess her near the goal area. However, the St Nicholas forward wasn’t able to convert the chance she created for herself. The second half remained a close affair but ended goalless to send the game into overtime.

Although Teck Whye was the more dominant team, St Nicholas turned the heat on them during extra time, throwing on more players forward to attack the Teck Whye goal. In the last minute of extra time, the best chance of the game fell to St Nicholas.

Having penetrated the Teck Whye defense, they worked their way to a shooting position, drawing the goalie out. The first shot hit the leg pads of the goalie but the ball bounced to another St Nicholas forward on the side. With an open goal, all she needed was to prod the ball towards goal. However, a Teck Whye stick came her way and deflected her shot away. The ball bobbled out to another St Nicholas player who took a quick shot which was deflected again by the Teck Whye defense. Yet again, the ball raced towards another St Nicholas forward at the near post who took a quick and hurried swipe at the ball, missing the ball altogether. With that miss, the referee blew for time, leaving St Nicholas to rue the missed chances.

The players than huddled together as they awaited their fate in the penalty shootout. St Nicholas was to be the first team up to shoot and in their way stood a brick wall in the form of the Teck Whye goalkeeper, Jingyi. Having been in a similar situation in the C Division Floorball Finals, Jingyi was more than ready for the St Nicholas team. The first save was a brilliant stick side save. The ball was hit hard and was airborne, yet Jingyi was able to get her stick to the ball. Teck Whye then converted their first chance, taking a 1-0 lead. The goalies from both team then proceeded to save the next 3 shots. St Nicholas then scored their last penalty to keep themselves in the game. However, Teck Whye’s last penalty taker was more than up to the challenge, sending the ball into the corner and crushing St Nicholas’s dreams at the same time.

The Teck Whye team and supporters erupted in joyous celebrations while the St Nicholas team was left to mourn the cruel twist that fate dealt them. The St Nicholas Goalkeeper was inconsolable at the loss but it must be noted that she performed extremely well under the circumstances as well. Teck Whye has now completed a unique double in capturing both the Floorball and Hockey titles for the C Division Girls.

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!