By REDintern Farah Alsagoff

Choa Chu Kang Indoor Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 – In a game which could have gone either way, Millennia Institute fought till the final whistle, almost coming back from four goals down against River Valley High School. But RV hung on for their first win by a score of 4-3 in the girls’ A Division Floorball Championship.

The match started promisingly for River Valley when RV’s #21 made a pass to #11 in front of MI's goal, but the latter missed the pass completely, and couldn't muster a shot.

MI were awarded a free-hit for RV's slashing, and MI’s #20 took a shot that hit MI #6's stick, who was screening the RV keeper, and the ball was deflected away from the goal.

MI’s #20 then won the ball in her half and dribbled down before taking a shot that was off-target.

Shortly after, MI’s #12 was sent off for 3 minutes, committing a blatant improper distance offence from a RV free-hit. Unfazed, MI initiated an offensive box-play - their #5 found #10 in RV's slot area but she couldn't finish the shot as the RV defenders dispossessed her.

RV regained their composure, and #19 took a crisp shot that hit the top post. The ball deflected away, and she went in once again for a rebound from the left sideboard with a simple grounder that went into the bottom right corner of MI's goal, for RV’s opening goal of the match.

RV continued with their attempts at goal when #11 tried a volley inside MI's slot area. MI’s defender #20 was quick to clear the ball away before RV’s #11 got a shot in.

MI’s #7 took a shot along the sideboards at half-court that deflected off an RV defender's stick, and the ball headed towards the front of the goal. MI’s #6 ran in for a rebound, but the RV keeper beat her to it.

Halfway through the first period, MI had the rare opportunity of a 2-versus-keeper situation after poor RV defending. MI's #6 and #2 charged down towards RV's startled keeper, who could only prepare herself for the onslaught. She managed to make a well-timed dive just before the MI player took a shot to prevent an MI equalizer.

Another heart-stopping moment occurred shortly after. From behind their goalpost, MI’s #20 tried to lob the ball towards RV's half, but the ball fell right in front of MI's goal and into the path of RV’s #11. She reacted too slowly to take a shot, and the MI keeper caught the ball with precision.

Throughout the first period, the referees were constantly in the way of both players and the ball. They were, at times, too slow to move away from the ball, and there was one instance when the referee was obstructing a RV player, and she actually said "Excuse me!" to the referee.

The second period was mostly uneventful. However it saw MI’s #6 easily out-dribbling 2 RV players who wanted to double-team her. She was so fast that she left the two crashing into each other along the side-boards.

RV increased their lead when #14 took a grounder shot at the near post and the ball sailed into the goal, bringing the score to 2-0.

Clearly not satisfied, RV’s #21 had an opportunity when she took a shot from the centre, and that saw the ball go past MI's keeper into the goal. It was now 3-0 to RV.

MI seemed to be grappling with the fact that the goals they conceded could have been easily blocked. They then proceeded to mark the RV players even tighter, and pushed themselves to win every loose ball.

Nonetheless, RV manage to score another goal, which was a stunner. RV were awarded a free-hit, and #21 took a shot that curled just over the MI keeper's head into the top corner of the goal. RV now led by four goals.

The third period saw MI claw their way back into the game. MI's #5 took a superbly accurate shot that went just beside the RV keeper's head into the goal for MI’s first goal of the game.

MI's morale was significantly boosted and MI's captain #4 did not want to get left out. She dribbled from RV's right corner and spun around with a drag shot into RV's bottom right goal. The score was now 4-2 to RV.

RV had an opportunity to stretch the goal difference further when #21 had a 1-on-1 situation. She ran down with the ball but MI's keeper Zaihasrah make a fantastic dive to save the ball.

MI's game of catch-up clambered to new heights when MI’s #7 took a wrist shot from half-court on the right and the ball cruised into the bottom left corner of the RV goal. She was overcome with emotion as she clenched her fists and fell to her knees, her face filled with happiness.

RV were now starting to feel the pressure, so much so that their #11 was sent off for 2 minutes for a handball. That did not deter RV from their attacks, as #21 got the ball along the sideboard and took a shot that barely missed the right post.

RV’s #10 was sent off in the last minute for an incorrect hit, but MI could not find the equaliser they needed in the game, allowing the newcomers their first win in a floorball competition.