Scotland women draw with Canada while the U21 women draw with Ireland

Scotland women 1-1 Canada Women

Two goals from the penalty spot saw Scotland women and Canada draw 1-1 in the first match of the three-game test series at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre. Six players won their first cap for Scotland – Ellie Mackenzie; Katie Swanson; Amber Murray; Katherine Holdgate; Zara Kennedy; and Rebecca Birch.

Scotland made a great start to the match and controlled the game from the outset setting a high tempo, and pressing well.

Sophie Hinds was influential for Scotland as the home side piled on the pressure. The first chance of the game came early doors and it was fashioned by Hinds pouncing on a loose ball in the circle, and striking towards goal on the turn, only to be denied by a solid save low to the right.

Soon after, some persistent play by Sarah Jamieson saw the forward win the ball in the Canadian circle, but her effort on the turn was denied a goal by a clearance on the line.

Scotland’s pressure continued into the second quarter with Canada pushed back into formation for much of the contest, but they kept the Scots at bay and managed to limit opportunities for further strikes at goal.

The opening goal came in the second half and it came courtesy of Jika Nyirenda. A long pass forward sent Nyirenda surging through on goal only to be wiped out by the Canadian goalkeeper. Nyirenda took responsibility for the penalty stroke and picked her spot into the bottom right corner for 1-0.

Moments later Ruth Blaikie almost added a second after a lovely pass by Emily Dark found Heather McEwan, who picked out Blaikie at the far post, but the keeper, Macia Laplante, sprung forward to block and deny the goal.

Canada dug deep in the final quarter and began to forge some opportunities and got their reward with an equaliser. The goal came from the penalty spot and Alexis de Armond buried the ball into the top left corner for 1-1.

Amber Murray came on between the sticks to earn her first cap in the closing minutes, and immediately was called into action to save the draw for Scotland with a great touch, with an outstretched boot, to prod the ball away from an attacker arriving at the far post for a tap-in, in the dying seconds.

Head Coach Chris Duncan said, “For a team with six new caps to play and try to deliver our philosophy the way we did is really pleasing. We played with great purpose, especially in the first half, and created enough chances to win the match.

“We had some big chances early in the second half, and we’ll improve on taking these types of chances with more games. It was disappointing to lose a goal because of our own mistake, but the beauty of a series is we’ll get to play again tomorrow, and we’ll be out to try and get the win.”

 

Scotland U21 Women 2-2 Ireland U21 Women

Game two of a three-match U21 women’s test series between Scotland and Ireland ended 2-2 in a close and competitive game. It followed the previous day’s 1-1 draw at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

It was a good start to the contest for the visitors as they played at a quick tempo, and applied good pressure from the outset.

It was Ireland who took an early lead through a penalty corner routine that was deflected into the roof of the net for 1-0.

Scotland began to play some slick hockey and a swift passing movement saw the ball zipped through to Lexie MacMillan in the circle, but her effort fizzed just wide of the left post.

On the stroke of half time Scotland equalised and it was Amy Grassom, after some good aggressive play to forced her way into the circle, blasted the ball through the goalkeeper, for Amber Wade to force the ball over the line and make it 1-1.

At the start of the second quarter another superb penalty corner routine was deflected high into the net by Lia O’Shea to make it 2-1 to Ireland. The Scots kept asking questions of the Ireland backline but the visitors had enough answers to get to half time with their lead intact.

Scotland began the second half on the offensive. A sensational solo run by Katie Brett saw her weave through the Ireland defence but Ireland managed to emerge with the ball.

The second Scotland equaliser of the match came with two minutes of the third quarter remaining. MacMillan provided the finish, a high ball dunked over the line from close range from a penalty corner rebound, to make it 2-2.

It was game on for the final quarter and it was end-to-end with both sides out for the win. The longer the quarter progressed the more likely Scotland looked they would nick the win, with Ava Findlay in particular causing problems with direct running, but there would be no winner, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Tickets are available here: https://scottishhockey.seetickets.com/event/scotland-v-canada-women-/glasgow-national-hockey-centre/3016859

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