By Farah Alsagoff/Red Sports

Republic Polytechnic, Tuesday, January 11, 2011 — Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) drew 2-2 with the National University of Singapore (NUS) in an absorbing group game full of near misses in the women’s 2011 Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Floorball Championship.

NUS started the game strong and showed no first-game jitters, easily holding possession and clearly setting the tempo for the game. Their first chance at goal saw Tabitha Carthigasu (#25) break in from the opponent’s corner and take a shot at goal but NYP’s #11 was quick to step in and block her shot. Shortly after, NUS’ #81, Lee Peng, attempted a wrap around the goal, but NYP keeper’s response was too quick to allow an early goal.

NYP launched a quick play-up, with #10 taking a drag shot from ¾ court that inched the top of the goal. They followed up with #17 taking a shot which, although blocked by an NUS defender, her poor clearance saw #10 lunge in for a rebound. But the NUS keeper managed to save her shot.

NUS’ persistent attacks were absorbed effectively by the NYP defense, with shots by the NUS #2 and #28 cleared by defenders or saved by the the keeper.

NYP almost gifted a goal to NYP with a defensive lapse. Siti Umairah (NYP #21) attempted to pass across to her defending partner behind the goalpost but the ball fell straight to NUS’ Lee Peng. However, her clear shot hit the post, much to the disappointment of the NUS bench.

In a startling start to the second period, NYP won the face off but the ball was so fast that it bounced off their keeper’s leg and almost into the goal. Quick reflexes by NYP’s keeper prevented an unlikely goal.

NUS finally broke the deadlock, with their #6 showing good ball control and taking a swift shot that made it 1-0.

At 23:32, a mishap by an NYP defender entering the penalty box gave NUS a penalty. The NUS #89 took it but unfortunately, she went too close to the keeper and her shot was deflected over the goal.

NUS continued their attacks with their their #2’s shot barely missing the top corner. The NUS #5 then made a pass past three players to teammate Tabitha (#25) but the latter completely missed the ball. The ball instead rolled precariously near the goalpost.

NYP then scored a fantastic equaliser early in the third period. Their #10 out-dribbled two NUS opponents before taking a crisp shot that hit the top corner of the goal to make it 1-1.

In this increasingly competitive match, near misses increased exponentially. NYP’s #29 received a board pass and took a shot, but hit the side post instead. NUS’ #21 then scavenged a loose ball from a defender but hit the side netting.

With a little over four minute left on the clock, NYP broke the standoff when Koh Hui An (#3) took a breathtaking shot with a bouncing ball into the top corner to give them a 2-1 lead.

Hoever, NUS equalised just a minute later. The NUS #5 scored into the bottom right corner of the goal off a pass by Tabitha (NUS #25) to make it 2-2.

Tabitha then almost scored the winning goal for NUS when she dribbled behind the goal and took a shot, but she was denied by NYP’s keeper.

The second day of the IVP Floorball Championship continues on Thursday, January 13th, at Republic Poly.

2011 IVP Floorball Fixtures & Results

Ed’s note: If you have the full lineup for both teams, please leave it in the comments section and we’ll update their names in the story.