Sydney University’s women’s water polo team made it three-from-three to open the women’s National Water Polo League (NWPL) season, as they swept the Victorian Seals over the weekend at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre (SUSAC).
After starting the season with a rusty 10-7 win against UNSW, the Lions defeated the newly re-named Seals from Melbourne 13-11 in the first leg match on Friday night and followed that up with an 8-6 triumph on Sunday afternoon.
In the series opener, Lions co-captain Keesja Gofers took advantage of some nice work from her teammates with a dynamic six-from-six shooting effort that broke the Seals spirit. Isobel Bishop is finding her feet nicely with her new club and she chipped in with a treble of goals.
The Seals came out in a far more aggressively manner in the second game and pressed the Lions throughout, with the home side having to put on a composed second half to win the final two periods 5-2. Bishop top scored for Sydney Uni with a double.
Newcomer Sarah Harris is proving a tower of strength with her great work rate, whilst Emily Scott, who is coming off elbow surgery, continues to re-gain her touch. Centre forward Gi Clark is also on the comeback trail from shoulder surgery and she continues to be an increasing threat on the two metre line.
Goalkeeper Lea Yanitsas (nee Barta) is playing wounded but you wouldn’t know it from her fine form, especially on Sunday.
Sydney University’s men’s team also won both of their games against the Seals over the weekend, winning on 14-8 on Friday and then 7-5 on Sunday. They have now won two of their first three games.
The Lions have another home double header coming up with a match-up against the Cronulla Sharks at SUSAC on Friday night at 7.00pm (men) and 8.30pm (women), whilst on Saturday afternoon at 4.15pm (women) and 6.00pm (men) they take on the Drummoyne Devils.
Results
Friday Feb 21
Sydney University Lions 13 (K Gofers 6 I Bishop 3 G Clarke 2 S Harris E Scott) bt Victorian Seals 11 at SUSAC.
Sydney University Lions 14 (J Cotterill 3 J Davie 3 T Kearns 2 N Cargill T Franklin S Nicholson A Polivka S Avallone G Enloe) bt Victorian Seals 8 (J Woods 3 B Edwards 2 L Edwards 2 D Egan) at SUSAC.
Sunday Feb 23
Sydney University Lions 8 (I Bishop 2 G Wikman 2 K Gofers S Harris G Clarke E Scott) bt Victorian Seals 6 at SUSAC.
Sydney University Lions 7 (J Davie 3 T Franklin S Avallone J Cotterill G Enloe) bt Victorian Seals 5 (J Woods 2 L Edwards 2 A Edwards) at SUSAC.
