CONCEDING a breakaway goal in the final quarter to lose 2-1 - it is not how Souths had hoped their women's Premier League Hockey season opener would unfold but they're still determined to remain positive.
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Souths led for much of their round one clash in Orange against newcomers Orange United and even when the hosts squared things up, the two blues continued to press.
As the clock ticked down in the final quarter they earned a penalty corner and lined up their battery for the set play hoping to find the winner.
Instead United managed to turn over the ball, counter quickly and score the match winner.
"In the last quarter they scored their winner. We had an attacking short corner, they got a breakaway and scored," Souths captain-coach Tahni Isedale said.
"But I'm definitely happy with how we played. The first three quarters of the game, yeah, super happy with how we played. We were under the pump a little bit in the first quarter but defended really well.
"When we got things rolling we executed our plans well, we just ran out of legs in the last quarter I think.
"We had a couple of girls out so we didn't rotate our subs as we probably would have liked to, so a few girls stayed on and we just ran out of legs in the end."
When we got things rolling we executed our plans well, we just ran out of legs in the last quarter I think.
- Tahni Isedale
While Isedale has played for Souths for more than a decade, she now finds herself in the coaching role for the first time. She's acting as an interim for Mandy George, another Souths stalwart.
George, who coached Bathurst to state championships glory in 2012 and previously mentored Souths in 2010-11, is currently in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney battling cancer.
It's why Isedale wants Souths to build on the positive vibes George brought with her to pre-season training.
"Obviously it has impacted the girls, it's hard training without her. When Mil [Mandy] came in the vibe was super positive and we had a really good start to the gala day," Isedale said.
"It's hard, but we're still trying to execute a few of the plans Mandy put in place."
George would no doubt have had a smile when she learned Sarah Watterson gave her beloved two blues the lead during the first quarter of the season opener.
The two blues had earned a penalty corner and while the first-time strike was blocked by United's goalkeeper, the rebound fell to Watterson. She beat a defender to give her a clear shot and made no mistake.
United clawed back on level terms in the third quarter when Heidi Townsend found the mark and when the fleet-footed Eva Reith-Snare broke away in the final quarter on the counter attack to score, the hosts snatched a 2-1 win.
While Souths was unable to capitalise on a strong start, Isedale was still pleased with how her side played on a testing surface.
"Playing on that turf in Orange is always interesting. We were on the top turf today, so it's a pretty heavy turf and the ball movement was quite slow, it pulls up very quick, so it was quite hard to get used too," she said.
"I thought Danielle Fisher was really good for us today, Sarah Watto and Charlize Fitzpatrick - all three had really good games."
Though newly formed this season, Isedale thinks that some of United's familiar combinations will serve them well. She said their strength lies in the centre.
"They were really good through the guts, they had that combination with girls who played with Feds last year. Their three girls in the centre were quite strong and dominated play," she said.
The next test for Souths comes against St Pat's.
"I'm definitely glad to have that one under the belt and bring on Pat's next week," Isedale said.
ORANGE UNITED 2 (Heidi Townsend, Eva Reith-Snare) defeated SOUTHS 1 (Sarah Watterson)
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