Women’s Division 1 – Deakin 4 vs Surfside Waves 0
Another great effort against a skillful and fit Deakin side and a sad farewell to a great player.
A windy and showery day saw the Waves’ penultimate game played out at Deakin.
Once again the Waves were under pressure for the start against the talented and quick Deakin outfit. The team held out well until midway through the first half when the Waves dropped their intensity a little and Deakin scored two quick goals.
Half an hour in, Cath Sattler went down after heading a high ball, but recovered and played on.
Once again Surfside’s back line held up well under pressure, with Madi Wilding in goal, supported by Sattler sweeping, Kate Elstone, then Emma Riley, Jasmin Pickett and Neisha Pearson keeping it tight at the back.
The midfield struggled against the might of Deakin, marshalled by Gina Murphy, sliding on the astroturf, the energetic Jordan Tabakovic, Allana Gillbee showing her touch and Faye Kendall holding the ball well and finding team mates.
Indiah van Galen started on the wing, then holding striker for a time and showed great touch.
Initially Mel de Bruin and Alexis Pearson were working hard up front to keep pressure on the Deakin defence and during the game Waves created some nice passages of play, but could not break down the Deakin defence.
Steffi Wallace came on and gave some run up front, then Maddie Hill joined the game and enhanced the midfield with some great throws.
Deakin scored again after a ricochet and topped it off with a fourth halfway through the second half.
Unfortunately Cath Sattler exacerbated her earlier injury heading another high ball and ended up going to hospital with concussion.
A big thank you to Deakin and The Geelong Hospital for their help and support during and after the season ending injury to Cath. This was the Waves’ best performance against Deakin this season, showing genuine improvement against the top side.
