Maties beat Pukke 2-3 in Potchefstroom on Monday night, after UP-Tuks beat Wits 3-2 earlier in the day, and have made it into the final where they will play UP-Tuks. This caps off another successful hockey weekend for Maties, which saw them recover from losing their first game 1-3 to UP-Tuks by winning their next two games and the semi-final.
The Maties Hockey ladies celebrate after beating UKZN 13-2 to qualify for the semi-final vs Pukke. PHOTO:FACEBOOK
Maties got their semi-final against Pukke off to a strong start. Minke van Heerden opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a field goal, worth two goals, to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. The match went end-to-end with both sides creating numerous chances. Pukke equalised in the 15th minute when Courtney du Preez scored a field goal to level matters at 2-2.
Tarryn Glasby, one of the star players for Maties, put the visitors in the lead when she scored a powerful shot from a short corner, worth one goal, giving Maties a 3-2 lead at half-time.
The second half was a pulsating one with Maties looking to kill the game off and Pukke desperate for an equaliser or potential field goal to win the match. Maties had numerous short corners in the third quarter but were not clinical enough to make them count.
In the final quarter of the match, Pukke forced Maties onto the back foot and the visitors looked to see the match out. As the match was drawing to a close, Pukke camped around Maties’ D area but could not take advantage of their chance with Maties goalkeeper Nicole le Fleur producing some good saves.
Maties did enough to win the match 3-2 and will travel to Pretoria to face UP-Tuks in the final on 22 May.
Maties second leg results:
Maties 1-3 UP-Tuks
Scorers: Minke van Heerden (Maties), Chane Hill (UP), Catherine Morris (UP)
Maties 4-1 Wits
Scorers: Minke van Heerden (Maties), Tarryn Glasby (Maties), Lezaane Janse van Vuuren (Wits)
Maties 13-2 UKZN
Scorers: Aimee Pote (Maties), Danielle Cairns (Maties) Tarryn Glasby x 2 (Maties), Minke van Heerden (Maties), Paige Phillips (Maties), Heather McEwan (Maties), Nolwazi Mkize (UKZN). -Dylan Jack