Raffles Institution’s late surge sends Meridian JC crashing out of A Division Girls’ Floorball Championship

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Pictures by REDintern Thomas Tan

Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 12, 2010 – Raffles Institution (RI) fought back from a goal down to score three goals in the last period as they overcame defending champions Meridian Junior College (MJC) 3-1 in the semi-finals of the A Division Girls’ Floorball Championship.

MJC took the lead against the run of play in the second period through captain Yeung E-Liz, but RI maintained their composure and levelled it up in the third. Ong Ruici (RI #67) then took over, scoring a brace in a 27-second period with less than three minutes in the match to send the defending champions crashing out of the tournament.

The first period was a cagey affair with not many chances being created at either ends of the court. RI had more possession, but they were unable to punish the defending champions. They had a chance with five minutes left in the period when captain Vanessa Lim (RI #12) took a long-range shot at goal. It was saved and the rebound fell to an RI forward, but she could not turn it in.

MJC also had their chance to break the deadlock when Ho Miao Ling (MJC #13) dispossessed an RI defender near the RI goal, but her shot was kept out by the RI goalkeeper.

The first period ended goalless with nothing between the two teams.

RI came out strongly in the second period as they pressured MJC’s goal. Vanessa Lim had a long-range effort go wide, before Ong Ruici had a shot saved by MJC’s keeper. Eunice Ching (RI #7) also had another opportunity to open the scoring when she found space to shoot, but her shot was saved and her teammate failed to turn in the rebound.

The breakthrough finally came after seven minutes of the second period. Although RI were controlling the game, MJC captain Yeung E-Liz turned the ball into the back of the net for a goal against the run of play to give her side the lead.

Eunice Ching almost scored the equaliser but her shot from the right found the post instead of the back of the net.

With everything still to play for in the third, RI came out fighting and they took less than two minutes to find the equaliser. Koh Qi Ying collected a through-ball and slotted the ball perfectly into the far post to level the match at 1-1.

MJC fought back and captain E-Liz force a save from the RI keeper after she sprinted clear of the defense before Mavis Tan (MJC #6) failed to punish a defensive error as she sent her shot down the RI’s goalkeeper’s throat.

Despite pressure from MJC, RI held on, playing a very composed game. With 2:26 left in the match, they were rewarded with a goal when Ong Ruici scored on the break. MJC’s goalkeeper got a touch on the ball, but she was unable to prevent Ruici from giving RI the lead.

27 seconds later, it was 3-1.

MJC were desperate for an equaliser and played without a goalkeeper. RI took full advantage of it and Ruici sealed the win for her side with an easy tap-in.

There was still time for E-Liz to force a save out of RI’s goalkeeper, but RI were able to hold on for a spot in the final.

“It was a great game!” said RI coach Jill Quek after the match. “The girls worked very hard and they deserved the win. Although we conceded the first goal, we maintained our game plan and focus on the game. MJC are a good team and we had to work really hard to beat them.”

“I don’t have a preference of who to play in the final – we’ll just play against whoever, but we are definitely aiming for the championship!” add coach Quek.

RI will play against Victoria Junior College for the championship after the latter swept River Valley High School 9-0 in the other semi-final. The final will be played at Republic Polytechnic next Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 1400 hours.

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