Lacrosse ladies lose out to Leeds

University of Leeds 1sts 23 – 6 University of York 1sts

Looking for promotion this season, Leeds 1sts took to the pitch with a determination that was severely lacking from their York counterparts. After conceding five goals in as many minutes, the York ladies seemed to lack the fight to counter the incessant attacks made by the strong-willed Leeds players.

However a quick drive round the post from vice-captain Liz Chan took the Leeds defence by surprise and boosted team morale, helping to remind the players that all was not lost and there was everything to play for in the next three quarters of the match.

The second period saw the pace of play improve slightly, although York were hindered by some sloppy passes and a lack of focus on the pitch. Leeds continued to fire in the goals, and despite Hambro’s communication to her defence, the failure to recognise the threats on goal from the attack meant the score kept rising for Leeds, while York trailed behind.

In attack, York settled down slightly and several attempts at goal were made which failed to be converted. However, a determined drive down the pitch from Sarah Saunders created a fast break and after taking the ball behind goal, she saw the opportune moment for a rapid goal, quick-sticked into the back of the net by Anna Yeomans.

With the score 11-2 to Leeds at half time, York walked off the pitch with heads slightly lowered in defeat. However an inspirational speech from Serena Franklin, encouraging the players to lift their game and start the second half from 0-0 again, meant a more determined team returning to the fray.

One bad game isn't the end of the world.
York's Serena Franklin

Leeds attack was still on fire, pummelling in goal after goal, yet York’s defence did not give up. Some great work by Izzy Miller and Sophie Pickup prevented many threatening cuts and several superb saves by Hambro were cleared half way up the pitch, allowing Helen Streeter and Liz Chan to counterattack very quickly.

Several unsuccessful attempts shots were made, but there were also some great goals that cleanly found the back of the net. And these were all products of York’s teamwork and ability to be patient and hold the ball safely whilst under pressure, waiting for the perfectly timed cut and the free player.

Rose Morrison’s successful draws provided York with some great play, as a quick take from Yeomans transported the ball down the pitch into Emily Linguard’s waiting stick, who put the ball away and brought York back some confidence. A further two goals from Lingard kept York fighting and although the score line was beyond reach, York kept playing and used the game to practise set plays.

Great defensive work from Kat Bosworth and Ellie Martin during the final quarter prevented a number of Leeds goals, in particular a powerful block and interception from Bosworth caused a change in possession. York turned defence into attack, as a long pass from Becky Simpson took the ball to the attacking 11, where Chan held off the defence to look for a pass from behind goal that was put away by Yeomans to make the final score 23 - 6.

Speaking after the match, Franklin commented, “We all know how much work we have to do, but despite this I think it's important for us to realise that one bad game isn't the end of the world. The most important thing is how we bounce back. We are playing Durham at home next week and were going to pick ourselves up and show them what we can do."

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