The Sydney Uni Lions women’s water polo team experienced mixed fortunes in their National League Sydney double, winning one game and losing the other to sit in seventh place on the ladder.
Playing away from home at Drummoyne, the Lions were rarely in trouble against a plucky Devils outfit that never gave up, winning 7-5. The score could have been greater, but for some wayward shooting. Import Whitney Delgado was on-target for three goals for the Lions, whilst Lea Barta was once again outstanding in goals.
That winning feeling turned sour as the Lions travelled to the heavy water at Ashfield to take on the tenth placed UNSW Killer Whales. Sydney Uni had every opportunity to win, but a solid defence was not backed up at the offensive end where the Lions squandered many chances and crashed to a disappointing 5-2 result.
The Lions will now turn their attention to playing against the Japanese National Team tonight at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre (SUSAC) at 8pm.
Coach of the Sydney University women’s First Grade team, Ian Trent, says he intends to use all players in the National League squad to give them the experience of playing against a national side.
“The Japanese national squad has come to Sydney to hold a training camp preparing for the Asian Games and for the World League,” he said. “They have matches scheduled against the Sydney-based teams in the National Water Polo League.
“I intend to play the entire squad – it should be a great experience for the many younger Sydney University players to play at international level. They’re all fighting fit.”
The coach said while Japan aren’t ranked in the top echelon of international women’s water polo they are very competitive and very fast.
The match is scheduled for 7.45pm and all interested are welcome to attend. Entry is free.
Sydney Uni Lions player numbers are:
- Leah Barta
- Emily Scott
- Gabby Wickman
- Daisy Carrillo
- Diane Romero
- Emma Lewis
- Keesja Gofers
- Tahlia Bogg
- Bec Curtis
- Holly Edstein
- Whitney Delgado
- Michelle Walsh
- Bronte Halligan
15. Kristi Donkin
16. Jo Whitehorn
18. Elissa Larson
The girls will then head to Albury-Wodonga to open the new Waves Aquatic Centre, with weekend dates against the Victorian Tigers. The Lions will be under-manned, as their talented core of U18s will be at the NSW Championships, so the road-trip will prove to be a huge challenge.
