By Jake Hastings
USW beat UWE 2-0 in the varsity women’s hockey clash, thanks to goals from Leah Goodall and Ffion Lovatt and a heroic goalkeeping display from Beth Harvard.
The hosts took the lead as forward Goodall managed to steer a misplaced shot into the UWE net with only three minutes on the clock.
UWE’s first chance was cleared off the line by Harvard and soon after Goodall had a chance to double the USW lead but her close-range shot flew just past the post.
A late flurry of chances from UWE amounted to nothing as Harvard saved multiple shots with ease to keep the score at 1-0 going into half-time.
The second half was rather like the first in that it was end-to-end, but neither team could create a clear chance.
However, with 15 minutes left, USW’s number nine Lovatt doubled their lead as she won the ball back just on the edge of the box and lifted a shot into the top right corner – sparking mass celebrations on the USW bench.
UWE did have the ball in the back of the net from a short corner but unfortunately for them it was ruled out as the referee had spotted the ball had come out of the box.
With five minutes left, UWE took goalkeeper Tabitha Tuckley out of goal and decided to play with more outfield players giving them an advantage in numbers on the pitch.
Even with this move from UWE, USW managed to hold on and win 2-0, meaning both the men’s and women’s hockey teams beat UWE this year in their Varsity clashes.