Dublin University Ladies Hockey Club (DULHC) continued their charge in Division 1 of the Leinster League yesterday, dispatching Naas Hockey Club with relative ease in a 7-1 victory.
Playing away from home, DULHC struggled in the opening stages – Naas controlled possession as they looked to set an early marker on home soil.
Despite their sluggish start, though, DULHC didn’t take too long to force a change in the game’s rhythm. Sally Campbell – the scorer of two goals in last week’s victory 6-0 over Genesis – grabbed the opener with a drag flick that nestled low in the net.
DULHC, anxious to consolidate their early lead, put daylight between themselves and Naas in the second quarter. Two excellently worked goals from Rachel Burns and Ailish Long stretched Trinity’s lead to three as the sides headed into the half-time break.
Soon after, Campbell brought her season tally to four goals, this time slotting home with a perfectly executed reverse strike.
Struggling to stay competitive, Naas were unable to difficult with the mounting Trinity pressure. Long made it 5-0 after latching onto co-captain Issy Delamer’s pass. Amy Buttimer also got in on the action, pouncing on a loose ball after Sarah Lavelle’s strike ricocheted off the post.
A brief lapse in concentration left a gap in the Trinity backline late on. Naas capitalised on the rare opportunity, which saw Sadhbh Farrell break into the penalty circle and net a consolation for the Kildare side.
Trinity had the final say, however – a brilliantly worked team goal set Burns up to grab her second of the afternoon, following the break down of play after a penalty corner.
In an email statement to The University Times, DULHC co-captain Erica Markey wrote: “Overall the girls are excited about our performance so far.”
“We are focusing on training and putting in hard work as we know we can’t get complacent on the back of a few early wins”, she added.
DULHC will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the Leinster League when return to Santry Avenue for their next fixture, where they will face Clontarf Hockey Club.
DULHC: Amy Buttimer, Alex Burns, Ailish Long, Aoife Sullivan, Elizabeth Young, Erica Markey, Issy Delamer, Isabelle McGrath, Iseult Cambay, Kate Orr, Leah Paul, Rachel Burns, Sally Campbell, Sarah Lavelle, Sarah Whelan, Tessa May.
Naas: Amy Coyle, Alison Deane, Clara Chamberlayne, Eimear McCarthy, Evana Cassidy, Jane Brownlee, Katie Tyrrell, Michelle Cashman, Rachel McMullen, Roisin Sexton, Saidhbh Farrell, Ruth Gardiner, Ruth Farrell, Sarah Jennings.
