Nanyang Polytechnic edge out Republic Poly in women’s POL-ITE floorball

Story By REDintern Wong Hong Yong and Pictures by REDintern Kenneth Chia.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Wednesday, 8th October, 2008 – Last season’s Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) floorball champions Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) beat Republic Polytechnic (RP) 2-0 earlier this week.

NYP attacked from the start and RP tried to break on the counter whenever they had a chance but were usually stopped in their tracks by the quicker NYP girls. The relentless pressure by NYP eventually paid off, as NYP #7 converted after receiving a pass from a free hit. The shot took a wicked deflection off RP’s #24 and into the goal with the goalie diving in another direction for a 1-0 lead. First blood to NYP.

RP seemed to be kicked into life by that conceded goal. They started to assert themselves in the game and had most of the possession. They went on the attack but the NYP players defended well and calmly as they held back wave after wave of RP attacks. As the period wore on however, there wasn’t much attacking going on as the ball kept changing possession in the middle of the court. NYP nearly increased their lead as they flashed a shot just wide of goal at the buzzer.

RP started the second period stronger as they fought for every ball and pushed up for every attack. RP #8 seemed particularly determined to get to the ball. However, NYP’s refusal to relinquish the lead showed, as they fought their counterparts muscle for muscle and with #9 and #7 having great understanding in the attack. NYP got another chance, as the impressive and lightning quick NYP #9 flashing a drag shot wide of the goal.

RP were employing their board passes very well, and they were able to put the ball into dangerous attacking positions. But their inability to get anyone at the end of the pass often meant that the NYP goalie was not troubled. NYP on the other hand were looking contented to soak up the RP pressure and going on the counter whenever they had the chance.

RP #22 then missed a sitter as she could only put her shot wide of the goal, with only the goalie to beat. NYP’s counter attacking strategy then paid off. While RP was too absorbed in attacking, NYPs #9 played a simple through ball, which evaded all of the RP players, and reached her #11 who made a slap shot which whizzed past the helpless RP goalie and into the goal.

The period ended with the RP players thinking what could have been had they been more clinical in front of the goal. RP’s refusal to accept defeat really showed in this half as they pressed NYP hard for every ball. One of their strong performers of the night, #6 had a great shot attempt saved by the NYP goalie.

RP then went close again with their #24 whose shot went just over the goal. The game seem to move into another level as the speed and intensity increased, but there was to be no goals as both side wasted whatever chances they had.

When the game ended 2-0 in favour of NYP, RP were left disappointed as they knew things could have been different if they had not wasted their chances.