Nanyang Polytechnic move closer to title with win over Temasek Poly in women’s POL-ITE floorball

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

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 – Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) took another step to retaining their Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Women Floorball Championship crown when they beat Temasek Polytechnic (TP) 3-0 comfortably.

NYP started strongly as #28 immediately went for a shot which went just over the TP goal. TP on the other hand had the lively #5 leading the charge and she looked dangerous whenever a chance was given to her.

As the period unfolded, both side were evenly matched and there was action all around the court. TP nearly scored soon when their #11 intercepted the NYP #12 in an awkward position and went for a shot. Fortunately for the NYP player, the shot ricocheted off her stick and went wide of goal.

TP then went on a rampage of attacks as their #34 and #11 caused the NYP defense lots of problems, with the impressive #5 also distributing the ball well to help in their attack. NYP #9, who was unusually quiet, suddenly burst into life as she took the ball and beat the whole TP defense before squaring a pass to #22 who could not capitalize as she mishit her wrist shot. The first period ended 0-0 with TP putting up an excellent attacking display.

The second period started with NYP surprising everyone by taking an unexpected lead after misunderstanding between the TP goalie and defender about the collection of a ball. Seeing a chance, NYP #67 sneaked in and put the ball past the TP goalie in the confusion.

NYP looked more certain in attack after that goal and they scored a second soon after when the NYP #9 picked up a stray ball from a goal mouth scramble and simply tapped it past the TP goalie for a 2-0 lead.

NYP almost scored again, but #7 shot hit the post after she found herself in lots of space. The NYP #9 then started to work her magic as she made full use of her superior speed to torment the TP defense.

TP then came back to life as they started to force NYP back into their own defensive half, with #5 again pivotal in attack for TP as she created chance after chance. The TP #33 also started to make good use of her bigger size against her smaller counterparts, winning the ball for TP on many occasions. TP continued strong but the NYP goalie refused to allow anything past with several crucial saves.

The third and final period was more of the same with NYP #9 being a thorn in the side of the TP defense, as she was constantly running at them and leading the attack for her team. TP were just as combative, the TP #5 again giving the whole of the NYP defense trouble. Though she had many chances, the NYP goalie was equal to everyone of them. TP continued to dominate possession but to no avail.

The final blow then arrived for TP when one rare NYP foray upfront reaped a goal. This goal was all about #20 as she dribbled her way in, took a shot and got to her own rebound to make it 3-0.

TP then took off the goalie and fielded a sixth outfield player for the final 20 seconds of the game as they went in search of that consolation goal. But it was all too late and the buzzer sounded for a 3-0 NYP win.

This was a hard lesson for TP in the finishing department. If they had been as clinical as NYP in attack given their numerous chances, they would have left the court smiling instead of NYP.