The Sevenoaks Hockey Club under-18 girls were adamant that Storm Dennis was not going to disrupt proceedings and with their opposition prepared to take to the road, it remained for both teams to brave the elements.
The subs bench for both sides were full and after the first 10 minutes it was evident that the teams were fairly evenly matched. When on the offensive Oxford Hawks were well drilled to draw a foul in the D and Sevenoaks conceded a lot of short corners.
During the first part of the game, Sevenoaks goalkeeper Kat Pastron and her defensive line had their work cut out, but Oaks managed to defend the multiple short corners faced and it took another 15 minutes before the deadlock was broken. Oaks were awarded their first short corner, Maisie Hinds injecting to the top of the D, Julianna Nowaczek slipped it right to Lauryn Thomas for it to be passed back to Julianna to slot it home.
Oaks were 1-0 up and decided to lift the intensity, it only took another four minutes before Ryana Macdonald-Gay found herself in the D and slapped the ball to be followed by the sweet sound of the ball striking the back board. The girls dripping from top to toe went into their half-time huddle 2-0 up.
Oaks knew Oxford were going to hit hard in the second half and true enough it was yet another corner which they finally managed to convert. With the score at 2-1 it was getting too close for comfort and the weather conditions were contributing to tired legs.
It was 10 minutes before the final whistle and Oxford Hawks managed to improve their short corner conversion rate and with the game finishing 2-2 they were facing a penalty shootout. The first round of five players stepped up to the P spot and the goalkeepers reflexes were put to the test. After the first round of P flicks it was still a draw and the process had to be repeated.
It was truly nail biting stuff and Kat Pastron kept her composure. Oaks walked away triumphant 4-2 and through to the quarter finals of the competition. The quarter finals will take place on Sunday 8th March.
