Federation Cup National Hockey Tournament: Westlake Girls High School secures a stellar 5th place finish
Westlake Girls High School hockey team recently travelled to Wellington to compete in the Federation Cup Hockey Tournament, an event that saw 32 teams from across the country vying for the national title. The competition was fierce from the outset, with teams fighting for a spot in the top 16 to secure a place in the main Federation Cup draw, while the remainder competed for the Marie Fry Trophy.
The tournament began on a high note for our team with a confident 3-0 victory over St. Matthews Collegiate. However, day two brought a tough challenge against St. Andrew’s College from Christchurch, a team that would ultimately reach the Federation Cup final. We went down 1-4 in a hard-fought game, which meant our next match was critical. A draw or a win against Wellington Girls’ College was required for us to remain in the Federation Cup. In a tightly contested battle, Wellington Girls’ College scored in the 56th minute, leaving us with just four minutes to find a goal. The team played with incredible intensity, and with only a few seconds left on the clock, we were awarded a penalty corner. We scored! The 1-1 draw secured our place in the top 16 by a single goal of difference at the end of pool play!
Moving into the top 16, we next faced Palmerston North Girls’ High School. Our team showed immense heart and grit, scoring in the second quarter and holding on to our lead despite facing intense pressure and conceding several penalty corners in the final minutes. This 1-0 win propelled us into the top eight.
In the quarter-finals, we faced a strong side from Kristin School. Despite our best efforts, Kristin was the better team on the day, and we lost 1-4, moving us into the playoffs for 5th to 8th position.
Our semi-final against Dio was an absolute thriller. Dio took the lead in the second quarter and held it for most of the game, but Westlake showed incredible resilience. We fought back, scoring in the 51st and 56th minutes to take a late lead. Just as victory seemed certain, Dio equalized right on the full-time whistle, sending the game to a shootout. Our goalkeeper was exceptional, and with a final score of 2-1 in the shootout, we moved on to the 5th place playoff.
Our final game of the week was equally dramatic. After no result at full-time, we once again headed to a shootout. The team held their nerve, winning the shootout 3-1 to secure a 5th place finish in the Federation Cup.
This tournament highlighted the incredible talent and competitive spirit of our team. Every game reflected the players’ dedication, teamwork, and passion. A huge thank you to all the parents and supporters who travelled to cheer the team on, and to our amazing coach and manager duo, Geoff & Robyn McNaugton. Your encouragement and support throughout the season made a huge difference, and you are very much appreciated!