The Goulburn women's hockey team played ANU on Saturday afternoon at the Goulburn Hockey Fields, and the pair proceeded to put on a competitive encounter for the crowds.
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Going into the match against the top-ranked side, Goulburn were significant underdogs.
However, from the outset of the game, the home side showed that it would not be brushed aside.
Against an ANU team which boasted the likes of former GDHA alum, Jess Smith, Goulburn wrestled for possession early in the match and had the visitors worried when the bell rang at the end of the first quarter.
The match remained on a knife's edge throughout the second term, before ANU broke the deadlock to record its first goal and go up 0-1.
This remained the score at half time, and after the break ANU showed the spirit which has made them competition favourites for 2019.
In the last half, the visitors piled on three more goals to finish the match at 0-4, a win which was emphatic but less one-sided than it appears.
For Goulburn, it was another performance which indicates the vast potential contained within the side, along with its inexperience.
This has by-and-large been the story of the season. The Goulburn women's team has performed well, but is currently in a transition period with a number of new, young faces, and will inevitably take time to find its feet.
The loss sees Goulburn remain at eighth on the ladder, with four wins, 10 losses, and a draw for the season.
With six rounds left in the regular season, it is unlikely that Goulburn will be able to make finals, save for a miraculous run of victories for the next six weeks.
However, anybody who watches sport knows not to count any team out until the season is said and done. This weekend, Goulburn will have the chance to kick off their winning streak against Old Canberrans.
OCHC are fifth on the ladder, and the last time these two sides played, in round four, Goulburn succumbed to a 6-2 defeat.
However, their record since then has been much stronger, and they have markedly improved. This contest is likely to be much closer and provide real insight into just how strong Goulburn currently is.
Goulburn will take on OCHC from 1pm on Saturday, June 27 at the Goulburn Hockey Fields.
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