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

Story by REDintern Wong Hong Yong. Pictures by REDintern Koh Yizhe

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Tuesday, October 14, 2008 – Republic Polytechnic (RP) took another blow to their title hopes after losing to the Combined Institute of Technical Education (ITE) team 3-4 in a Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Women’s Floorball Championship match. After having lost to Nanyang Poly in their opening match, this loss to ITE now means they will need a miracle in their remaining matches to have any chance of winning the championship.

RP started the match with lots of intent, managing to involve every player in a passing game before getting a shot off. However, it unfortunately went straight at the goalie. RP kept on pushing ITE hard but the latter held firm.

ITE than took a surprise lead when their #28 picked up a stray ball. With no RP players in sight, she unleashed a drag shot which crept under the RP goalie and into goal. ITE started to take control of the game after taking the lead and slowly swung into attack mode.

The second goal duly came for ITE as RP again allowed an ITE player empty space. A similar shot from the same position resulted in the ball flying into the top corner of the goal. 2-0 to ITE.

Throughout the last few minutes of the first period, both sides were fired up and possession changed hands constantly. ITE were looking the more dangerous of the two as they were using their quick forwards to chase and break for any loose ball. Just as the period was drawing to a close, RP scored through a quick counter attack. A pass reached RP #13 and she flashed a drag shot right into goal to ensure that RP walked off at the end of the first period trailing only 1-2.

RP continued on in search of that equalizer in the second with their #22 trying particularly hard to score. In one instance, she did everything right to get off a shot but the post stood in her way. RP kept on pressing and they finally got their reward when RP #20 took a pass from her teammate. With no ITE players in sight, she took a drag shot which left the ITE goalie with no chance to make it 2-2.

With RP rejuvenated by that equaliser, they pressed their counterparts hard. The RP #22 was a thorn in the side of the ITE defense as she tormented them whenever she had the ball. ITE on the other hand had their skillful #11 leading the charge for them while the mercurial RP #6 almost scored after some good passing by the rest of the RP players. The second period ended with both sides negating each other all around the court for a 2-2 scoreline.

50 seconds into the start of the third period, RP scored again as their #6 finally got the goal which looked to be coming for her all night. She dragged a stray ball back across the face of goal which hit the post and bounced out. However, it was deflected back into goal by an ITE defender for a 3-2 RP lead.

Ironically, the RP #6 then gave away a free hit to ITE when she was handed a two-minute penalty later for handling a goal-bound ball. However, ITE could not capitalise and draw level when their free hit drew an excellent reaction save from the RP goalie. Not to be disheartened, ITE took advantage of their extra man well as they drew level after the ITE #17 passed a ball through to Maisurah (ITE, #14) for an easy tap in to even the score up at 3-3.

The period continued with both sides charging up and down the sides of the court into attack. Midway through the third period, attacks were raining down on the ITE goal but the players found the ITE goalie unbeatable as she made three good saves to deny RP another goal.

ITE than got a wonderful chance to retake the lead as RP #11 slipped while in possession of the ball in the centre of the court. ITE #39 took advantage to hit a slap shot that whizzed into goal for a 4-3 lead.

With time running down, RP started bombarding the ITE goal, but the ITE goalie was simply not in the mood to get beaten as she made several more crucial saves. RP then took off the goalie and fielded six outfield players in a bid to equalise but it was not to be as ITE held on to win 4-3.

This win keeps ITE firmly in contention for the women’s POL-ITE crown but has left RP’s title bid out of their hands.

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