Story and pictures contributed by reader Marvin Lowe

SAJC’s Christie Cheng takes a shot as ACJC’s Donica grimaces while she attempts to block the shot. (Photo 1 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Delta Sports Complex, Thursday, May 15, 2008 – In the second semi-final of the A Division Girls’ Hockey Championships, Anglo-Chinese Junior College faced off against last year’s runner-up, St Andrew’s JC. SAJC were the early favorites for this match-up and it looked like they would wrap the match up easily. However, things did not go as planned. ACJC played the game of their lives, giving SAJC a run for their money before seeing SAJC emerge as victors with a scoreline of 2-0 .

ACJC started the match brightly and managed to break through the SAJC defense on several occasions. One particular movement saw a long diagonal ball played through to a lurking ACJC striker who ended up with a one-on-one situation with the SAJC goalkeeper. The SAJC goalkeeper did well to spread herself wide, forcing the ACJC striker to shoot wide. SAJC did not sit back to watch the ACJC attack and launched a counter attack. They had one chance where SAJC’s Nadrah Sadali shot straight into the keeper. Another moment came when another player had a one-on-one opportunity as well. Unfortunately, the ACJC keeper stood her ground and her defenders came to her aid, denying SAJC of a goal.

Both teams entered the break on level terms with ACJC certainly looking the more brighter side. The second half was a different story altogether. SAJC got their act together and started moving more fluidly. They used the flanks to great effect and finally found the chink in ACJC’s armour. From a long corner, the ball was hit hard into the D and somehow the ball was deflected into the goal. Both teams froze for a moment before the referee blew his whistle to declare the goal legit. The SAJC girls were overjoyed with the call and Jillian Yeo (#14, SAJC) claimed credit for the goal. ACJC had the next chance as they worked hard to fight back. They made their way into the D-ring and earned a penalty corner. They set up well and sent a stinging shot towards goal. The ball was hit towards the goalkeeper’s stick-side but the SAJC goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic diving save. SAJC added a second goal not soon after. Jillian Yeo, the previous goalscorer, turned provider this time round. Working from the flanks, she sent a cross in which was brilliantly reverse flicked in by SAJC’s #7.

With two goals in the bag, SAJC sought to contain ACJC and they ran the clock down patiently. Although SAJC emerged victorious, ACJC really gave them a run for their money.

A SAJC player trying to run past two ACJC defenders. (Photo 2 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

SAJC’s Christie Cheng attempts to dribble past her ACJC marker. (Photo 3 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

The ACJC goalkeeper stands her ground as a SAJC player tussles for the ball with the ACJC defender right in front of goal. (Photo 4 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

A SAJC player runs past the ACJC defender. (Photo 5 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

SAJC’s Ying-Ying falls to the ground after a tough tackle but continues battling for the ball. (Photo 6 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

SAJC’s Nadarah shoots straight at the goalkeeper but only to waste a golden opportunity. (Photo 7 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

SAJC’s Ying-Ying charging through the ACJC defense with another silky run. (Photo 8 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Pandemonium in the ACJC goalmouth as they try to stop the deflected shot from SAJC’s Jillian. (Photo 9 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

SAJC celebrates as the referee rules the goal legit. (Photo 10 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

SAJC’s Ying-Ying braces herself as she gets hit in the shin by an ACJC defender. (Photo 11 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

A SAJC player goes really low to take a shot at goal. (Photo 12 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

The ACJC defender makes a successful tackle to stop the SAJC player . (Photo 13 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

SAJC’s Christie sprints downs the flank towards the ACJC goal. (Photo 14 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

SAJC’s goalkeeper about to make a brilliant stick-side save. (Photo 15 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

SAJC’s Jillian with the cross that led to the second goal. (Photo 16 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

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