Republic Poly claim women’s floorball POL-ITE title despite 2-2 draw with Nanyang Poly

By Yvonne Yap/Red Sports

Republic Polytechnic Sports Complex, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 – Nanyang Polytechnic came up with a last-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 with Republic Polytechnic, halting RP’s run of victories in the Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Women’s Floorball Championship.

However, they could not prevent RP from claiming the title for 2009/2010 and had to settle for third position. The Institute of Education came in runners-up for the competition.

Both sides were evenly matched in the first period, having their fair share of hits and misses. NYP had six shots on goal while RP did one better by having seven, but both failed to chalk up any points on the scoreboard.

NYP opened the scoring first in the 18th minute, with Siti Melissa Hamid (NYP #19) contributing her shot through the left wing past RP keeper Afiqah Bte Mohammad Hanaffi (RP #1).

However, RP picked themselves up quickly and did not allow themselves to trail for too long. Siti Khadijah Bte Mohd Yusoff (RP #10) passed the shot to Dai Yi Wen (RP #7) in front of goal just seconds later, and Yi Wen tried to score from the left. It was stopped by Nur Mahirah (NYP #6) but Yi Wen was quick to catch the rebound, tapping in the ball past the keeper Shreejana Rai (NYP #76), levelling the score at 1-1.

RP had a chance to put themselves in the lead in the last three minutes of the period when they were awarded a penalty. Mahirah committed a handball foul when she bent down to block a shot from Yi Wen. RP captain Marie Denisse C. Satuito (RP #4) took the penalty, but it was disallowed as she dragged the ball back slightly while approaching goal.

RP placed themselves into the lead at 2-1 during the third period. Reena Wong (RP #8) took a free hit from the right corner and Sheryl Wee (RP #22) followed up by tapping it into the goal, which was wide open due to a lapse in the NYP defence.

“You have 3 minutes … Just run, run, run!” RP coach called during a time out in the dying minutes of the game to encourage his girls to hang on to their lead and achieve yet another victory. However, Koh Hui An (NYP #3) spoilt the RP party with 50 seconds left. She managed to foray past the RP defence to score the equaliser, giving NYP a 2-2 draw and third placing on goal difference.

“It was hard work from everyone this year. Good work from our coach as well,” NYP captain Siti Syamimi said after the game. She injured her forearm during the previous game against ITE and had to sit out this game.

RP captain, Marie Denisse, attributed their success this tournament to their teamwork. “It was the whole team’s effort. We trained 4 times a week, and might have 2 trainings a day. One for fitness and the other tactical,” she revealed.

The RP team had a mix of senior and junior players, as well as newcomers to the sport.

Final Standings
[TABLE=470]