CHIJ Katong Convent beat Northland to win B Division Girls National Floorball Championship title

Story by Wong Hong Yong. Pictures by Tan Huey Ying.

Republic Polytechnic Sports Hall, Thursday, March 5, 2009 - CHIJ Katong Convent broke Northland Secondary hearts when they clinched the B Division Girls Floorball Championship title with a 3-2 victory.

This was always going to be a close encounter right from the first whistle, as both these teams had blown away their opponents during the earlier stages. And so it was.

Northland looked the stronger of the two teams at the start, as they made their intentions known right from the face off. The Northland #4 was looking pretty impressive as she led the forward charge, going past the KC #7 time and again and forcing her opponent to yield possession continually.

KC then had a short attacking spell, with their #9 at the centre of all the attacks. The KC #9 continued to power on and had only herself to blame, when she was dispossessed by the Northland #3 when she hesitated before a goal-scoring opportunity.

Northland could have also taken the lead when their #14 was through one-on-one after a defensive mix-up but she was denied by the KC goalie. The Northland #14 had a second chance with the rebound but her weak effort was easily gathered.

Northland eventually made the breakthrough when KC were slow on tracking back which allowed the Northland #15 to put a wrist shot past the goalie whose view was obstructed by the KC #7, leaving her with no chance.

Northland were rejuvenated by that opener and went in search of more. But right on the one-minute mark, KC equalized, thanks to the Northland goalie misjudging a bouncing ball that slipped into goal to make it 1-1.

This half belonged to the KC #9 and the Northland #4 as both put in impressive efforts to lead their forward line. The KC goalie was the hero, as she pulled off a stunning double save, first denying the Northland #4 on the free hit and then the Northland #14 on the rebound.

The Northland #4 then crafted a great chance for teammate #15, as she pulled two KC defenders towards her before making a pass to #15. With the goal at her mercy, the Northland #15 hit her shot wide of goal.

The KC #9 then put her team 2-1 ahead when she made a drag shot that whizzed past the surprised Northland goalie. With her confidence up, the KC #9 threatened again and this time put her wrist shot just wide of goal.

Just as things were looking great for KC, Northland equalized via a free hit taken by their #3 who made a slap shot that evaded everyone and deflected in via the helmet of the KC goalie. The 2nd period drew to a close with both teams now deadlocked at 2-2.

The 3rd period was fast and furious as both sides charged at each other, with the Northland players using a very robust approach compared to their KC counterparts. The Northland #4 was employing the robust style of play particularly well, as she got past two KC defenders and made a fierce wrist shot that went just wide.

As the players from both sides began to tire, KC were the livelier of the two as the robust play of Northland drained more energy from their players. KC started camping in the Northland half though the Northland attack pairing of #4 and #15 looked dangerous on the break.

The KC resilience in attack finally paid off, when their #9 made a wrist shot which the Northland goalie parried quickly but could not prevent the rebound from going in. It was now 3-2 in favour of KC.

As the time ticked down, Northland were desperate for the equalizer and pressed forward time and time again while KC were just happy enough to soak up the pressure and slow down the play.

Northland took a timeout at the 2:42 mark as they looked to make a final attempt to score.

The Northland #4 was particularly determined as she grabbed every chance she had but was always left frustrated on each attempt. The KC goalie then became the player of the moment when she pulled off three stunning stops from the Northland #3, #9, #15 in the final 10 seconds to make sure her team went home champions.