|
The first game of the year for the Lady Kookaburras had arrived and amazingly into their third season it was also their first home game. Such are the trials of a developing sport with few teams and huge distances to overcome. The Milwaukee Lady Bombers were in town for their first challenge game on the road also and a lovely warm humid Atlanta day greeted them. The Lady Kookas rolled out a few new players for this game which is great to see as they strengthen their resolve to remain national champions and also undefeated. First time players were Meghan Brown, Anne Collins and Aussie's living in Alabama Betty Pat & Sue Marsh. Also on debut were Doville Gulbin and Allison Disney who were friends of Saskia Wurche who was also back for her first game since 2005. The first term was looking good for the new look Lady Kookas as they immediately got on top of the visitors in most parts of the ground. Katie Grist was a welcome addition to the ruck and she immediately had an impact feeding Jenny Sarbacker many times. Judith Stein up forward was capitalizing on all her opportunities and led and marked like a true veteran of the game. The early part of the game saw two unfortunate injuries. New Aussie recruit Sue Marsh for the Kookas came off with a dislocated shoulder and Milwaukee Captain and primemover Denielle David injured her knee it what would be later found to be a torn ACL and a year off from the game. Dewi Mitchell was holding up the backline for the Kookaburras in great fashion and by the first break Atlanta had crept away with a handy lead of 14 points. Judith Stein kicking all of Atlanta's score of 3 goals 2 behinds. The second term was an even affair with scores hard to come by. Sarbacker was definitely putting her stamp on game tirelessly it seemed picking up kicks all over the field. Nikki Peoples came on for the home team and was doing well. Milwaukee despite not scoring were still very competitive around the ground, Suzy Thomas and Ellie Frey thwarting many forward attacks by the Lady Kookaburras. At the main break the Kookas had stretched their lead to 22 points after a goal to first gamer Meghan Brown. The third term was again a struggle for both teams. Atlanta through Stein who had moved into the center to help out Sarbacker posted her fourth goal of the game then a snap by Stephanie Powell made it two for the quarter. Milwaukee's Nicole Martiny though added one for the visitors as they continued to try hard and make sure Atlanta earned every kick. The final quarter came and it was Atlanta that finished full of running. Sarbacker continued her relentless gathering of possessions all over the field in a Best on Ground performance. Up forward for the Lady Kookas it was the Stephanie Powell show as she added 4 more goals to here tally including one over her head from 15 yards out. Nice touch!. Milwaukee really had no more answers, they were outrun again by the Lady Kookas who retained their unbeaten record of wins with a runaway 60 point win. Atlanta Lady Kookaburras 3.2 4.4 6.10 10.12 (72) Milwaukee Explosion 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 (12)
Best Players: Atlanta: Sarbacker, Stein, Grist, Brown, Mitchell
Milwaukee: Raisanen, E.Frey, Thomas, Buchicchio, Martiny Goalkickers: Atlanta: Powell 5, Stein 4, Brown 1. Milwaukee: Frey 1, Martiny 1.
|