York Women’s 1sts Lacrosse team suffered a close defeat to Sheffield on Wednesday on 22 acres. Slack marking in the 2nd and 3rd quarters was capitalised on by Sheffield who finished clinically putting the game beyond York’s reach despite their best efforts in the final quarter.
York made an electric start with Sasha Greene scoring almost immediately from the face-off. Katie Barrett, Georgie Saunders and Charlotte Pelter added further goals which meant that, despite a goal from Sheffield, York held a commanding 4-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
However the tide was to turn in the next two quarters with Sheffield scoring seven times on the spin before Alex Whitehand replied for York. York’s loose marking combined with Sheffield’s tight passing and fine finishing gave the opposition a four goal advantage with one quarter to go.
Despite another goal by Greene, Sheffield continued to dominate scoring three further goals. Yet, York did not give up and staged a spirited fight-back. Barrett and Greene added to their tallies and Captain Izzi Mattick also put her name on the score sheet. However, clawing back six goals was always going to be an uphill struggle and the team went down 12-10.
An inexperienced men’s 1sts were frustrated by an extremely stubborn defense as they were defeated 7-2 by a strong Newcastle team in a very scrappy and physical game. After a closely contested first two quarters the opponents pulled away after several sustained periods of pressure.
The opponents quickly gained the upper hand, establishing a two goal lead following the opening exchanges. However, York quickly rallied with Dariush Kamali converting from close range.
Newcastle drew first blood in the second quarter before Daniel Revellini finished a well-worked team goal to close the gap. Yet, this was the last goal York were to score as Newcastle’s defence proved rock solid for the remainder of the encounter weathering all that York threw at them. Newcastle, in turn, subjected York to numerous periods of intense pressure in which they scored four further goals.
They would have scored many more had it not been for the superb reflexes of keeper Billy Rooks who, even though he conceded seven goals, was compared to a “god” by teammate Will Thorman.