The Hillhurst Nighthawks have recorded back-to-back premiership victories after stunning their Alberta Footy Women's League opponents in Edmonton last Saturday. The 'Hawks went into the finals in second-place, having lost four matches to their cross-town rivals the Kensington Kingfishers. Those losses - including an 86-point drubbing in round 3 - meant that Hillhurst would have to overcome an improving Edmonton Emus side in the preliminary final to have any chance of winning the premiership in 2009.For a re-cap of 2009 season results and statistics, click here.
Preliminary Final - Hillhurst Nighthawks vs Edmonton Emus
Hot weather at Edmonton's McNally Senior High School made for challenging footy conditions, but Hillhurst came out fighting, winning a lot of the ball through midfielders Shelby "Buddy" McLean and Caity Kidd. Stand-in coach Jake Anson's rotation of players off the bench and through the forward line had a visible effect, as the 'Hawks posted eight goals in the first half, each kicked by a different player (including Stacey "Spacey" Ouelette's first).
Hillhurst struggled to keep their work rate up in the second-half heat, despite enjoying a bigger bench than that of Edmonton's coach Tristan Waldock. Emus ruckwoman Neda Dalili and captain Steph Tooke were particularly influential, winning contested ball but struggling to find a forward target. The 'Hawks kicked four more goals to run out the game, with Lori "Boss" Bossert and Rachel "Paws" Mrdeza posting two apiece in the 81-point win.
Hillhurst struggled to keep their work rate up in the second-half heat, despite enjoying a bigger bench than that of Edmonton's coach Tristan Waldock. Emus ruckwoman Neda Dalili and captain Steph Tooke were particularly influential, winning contested ball but struggling to find a forward target. The 'Hawks kicked four more goals to run out the game, with Lori "Boss" Bossert and Rachel "Paws" Mrdeza posting two apiece in the 81-point win.
Hillhurst Nighthawks 12.9 (81) def. Edmonton Emus 0.0 (0)
Goals Hillhurst: Bossert 2, Mrdeza 2, Benoit, Greatwich, L. Howard, Kidd, Lanigan, McLean, Ouelette, L. Smith
Goals Edmonton: None.
Emus coach Tristan Waldock was full of praise for his young team following their loss. "It was the Emus' first finals game and another good experience for our girls. We keep improving every week and I'm happy with where we are going and look forward to next year. We will be recruiting over winter and fielding two Edmonton teams in 2010. It may be a step back in the way of winning games next year, but it's the best way forward for the sport to grow and it will only benefit us in the long run. If we keep growing the way we are, we will be a force in international women's football."
Grand Final - Kensington Kingfishers vs Hillhurst Nighthawks
The AFWL's two Calgary clubs have enjoyed an epic rivalry over the past two seasons. In 19 encounters - including the 2008 Grand Final - the clubs had been virtually inseparable, and in 2009 it seemed that the girls from Kensington had a slight edge over their neighbours. However, the loss of Beck Jones (concussion) and Leslie Gurba (unavailable) and injury clouds over Char "Broiler" Olm and Roxy Kelly meant that the Kingfishers' depth was questioned going into the finals.
Despite playing an earlier match, Hillhurst came out hard and dominated the play early. Holly "Witchy" Greatwich and Lesley "Zed" Zmurchuk were prominent across the midfield and the wind helped to lock the ball in the Nighthawks' foward line. Boss, Witchy, Zed and Lori "Lolly" Benoit recorded first-half goals for Hillhurst, while the 'Fishers nuggetty onballers Vicki "Lleyton" Hewitt and Erin "Sav" LeBlanc struggled to gain ground into the wind.
With a change of ends, Kensington began to pin back the 28-point deficit. A goal to Sav lifted their spirits, and for 10 minutes they peppered the goals. Accuracy was a problem though, with seven behinds not an adequate return for the effort put in by ruckwoman Kate "Spider" Ross and Kathryn "Gangles" Zakus across the middle. 'Fishers coach Dave Bauer rotated his less experienced bench as best he could, though the hot day took its toll on the Canadians. Spider in particular found it tough, rucking alone against two Nighthawks. With a couple of minutes left of the clock, Boss kicked the sealer into the wind for the Nighthawks and they ran out 24-point winners with Witchy best-on-ground.
Hillhurst Nighthawks 5.7 (37) def. Kensington Kingfishers 1.7 (13)
Goals Hillhurst: Bossert 2, Benoit, Greatwich, Zmurchuk
Goal Kensington: LeBlanc
Kensington captain Kathryn Zakus was disappointed after the loss, but looked toward the future. "We were missing a few key players and did not come out with as much intensity in the first half as we should have. To the 'Hawks credit they had their full squad and outplayed us in the most areas of the game. Obviously the loss was disappointing after a great season and finishing on top of the ladder, but it just means we will come back next year with even more incentive to win the cup."
Hillhurst captain Holly Greatwich praised her side's toughness in the come-from-behind win"Hillhurst had a bit of an inconsistent season this year, due mostly to injuries. However, this enabled our less experienced girls to improve their game skills dramatically. We really stepped it up in the final under tough conditions, and played with a lot of heart. The Nighthawks seem to thrive as underdogs and it certainly made this year's win all the more memorable for us.
Despite playing an earlier match, Hillhurst came out hard and dominated the play early. Holly "Witchy" Greatwich and Lesley "Zed" Zmurchuk were prominent across the midfield and the wind helped to lock the ball in the Nighthawks' foward line. Boss, Witchy, Zed and Lori "Lolly" Benoit recorded first-half goals for Hillhurst, while the 'Fishers nuggetty onballers Vicki "Lleyton" Hewitt and Erin "Sav" LeBlanc struggled to gain ground into the wind.
With a change of ends, Kensington began to pin back the 28-point deficit. A goal to Sav lifted their spirits, and for 10 minutes they peppered the goals. Accuracy was a problem though, with seven behinds not an adequate return for the effort put in by ruckwoman Kate "Spider" Ross and Kathryn "Gangles" Zakus across the middle. 'Fishers coach Dave Bauer rotated his less experienced bench as best he could, though the hot day took its toll on the Canadians. Spider in particular found it tough, rucking alone against two Nighthawks. With a couple of minutes left of the clock, Boss kicked the sealer into the wind for the Nighthawks and they ran out 24-point winners with Witchy best-on-ground.
Hillhurst Nighthawks 5.7 (37) def. Kensington Kingfishers 1.7 (13)
Goals Hillhurst: Bossert 2, Benoit, Greatwich, Zmurchuk
Goal Kensington: LeBlanc
Kensington captain Kathryn Zakus was disappointed after the loss, but looked toward the future. "We were missing a few key players and did not come out with as much intensity in the first half as we should have. To the 'Hawks credit they had their full squad and outplayed us in the most areas of the game. Obviously the loss was disappointing after a great season and finishing on top of the ladder, but it just means we will come back next year with even more incentive to win the cup."
Hillhurst captain Holly Greatwich praised her side's toughness in the come-from-behind win"Hillhurst had a bit of an inconsistent season this year, due mostly to injuries. However, this enabled our less experienced girls to improve their game skills dramatically. We really stepped it up in the final under tough conditions, and played with a lot of heart. The Nighthawks seem to thrive as underdogs and it certainly made this year's win all the more memorable for us.
Alberta women's footballers now turn their attention toward the US Nationals tournament to be held in Mason, Ohio over Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. The 2010 AFWL season is already in the planning stage and will see an expansion of the league to five clubs with new teams in both Calgary and Edmonton and a greater share of home fixtures in both cities.
Greatwich expects the inclusions to lift the level of competition. "The opportunity to compete against different teams, with varied levels of player experience enables new recruits to improve pretty quickly. Also, the strong social atmosphere will only improve as we grow and it's very exciting to see everything coming together. I'm looking forward to being involved again next year, and I have no doubt that the AFWL will continue to involve more girls in this great sport and a be an inclusive social sporting choice."
Greatwich expects the inclusions to lift the level of competition. "The opportunity to compete against different teams, with varied levels of player experience enables new recruits to improve pretty quickly. Also, the strong social atmosphere will only improve as we grow and it's very exciting to see everything coming together. I'm looking forward to being involved again next year, and I have no doubt that the AFWL will continue to involve more girls in this great sport and a be an inclusive social sporting choice."
