MELVILLE City women played out their third draw of the season, a 1-1 result against top-of-the-table Vic Park in the State Hockey League at Duracraft Stadium on Saturday.
After a string of slow starts to begin the season, the Melville women were instructed to come out with their heads switched on and ready to go.
They did just that, earning three penalty corners in the first five minutes, but unfortunately could not break Vic Park’s defence.
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READ NOWDespite the early pressure, Vic Park worked itself into and game and at the 18 minute mark opened the scoring.
A ball through the Melville press caught the defence on the back foot and some good movement by the Vic Park strikers allowed them to find a free player in the circle, who slotted the ball home.
Falling behind did not deter Melville, who continued to make life hard for Vic Park through its very effective press.
After pinning Vic Park in their own defensive half for an extended period, Mathilda Carmichael put one past the Vic Park keeper to level the score.
The second half began at a frenetic pace, with both teams in search of an early goal and some scoreboard pressure.
A breakaway from Vic Park earned a penalty stroke but Melville goalkeeper Erin Judd stepped up to the mark and made a tremendous save to keep her team on even terms.
A storm prior to the start of the game knocked out power to the stadium, forcing the umpires to call the game to a close after only 60 minutes of play when it became too dark and unsafe to continue play.
The result leaves Melville City eighth on the ladder. The women take on the Curtin Trinity Pirates this weekend.