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The Atlanta Lady Kookaburras traveled north to Milwaukee this past weekend to take on the Lady Bombers and came away with yet another emphatic win. The Lady Kookas remain undefeated into their 4th year having played 17 games successfully. An absolutely perfect day greeted all players at Kletzsch Park with a slight breeze drifting across the field. The Lady Kookaburras went into the game with several players under injury clouds but you would never has guessed the way they attacked the ball early.
Starting in the ruck Meghan Brown started well with center line support from Diana Pizzari and Jenny Sarbacker who both were picking up plenty of kicks. The game was tough and tight early with neither side able to break free till a long kick into Judith Stein at full forward allowed a quick handball over the top to Sue Marsh and an easy goal started off the Kookas goal scoring.
The first quarter continued to be a battle of the backlines with the Kookas standing tall with Katie Grist, Christina Murdock and Kris Kubicek all doing well. After Diana Pizzari came off with a bloodied nose, Sue Marsh broke free after some great work through the midfield from Sarbacker and slotted through her second for the term. Milwaukee replied late in the term with a goal to Suzy Thomas so at the first break it was Atlanta 2.1.13 Milwaukee 1.0.6
Coach Wayne Kraska asked the Lady Kookas to increase their work rate and intensity for the ball at the first break. Bringing Grist into the ruck and returning Pizzari to the midfield the Kookas started to run away with the game. Betty Pat doing some of the hard chasing around the ground was rewarded with a goal and Pizzari showed some class with a great goal on the run. Further goals to Sarbacker and Judith Stein late in the quarter was stretching their lead towards half time. Stein had till that time been having a top battle with USA womens footy leader Kathryn Hogg. At half time it was Atlanta 6.3.39 to Milwaukee 1.2.8
Half time and still coach Kraska could see plenty of room for improvement in the Lady Kookas game asking players to work harder at linking handballs and centering the ball in the forward line. Dewi Mitchell got on the scoreboard with a quick snap for a goal and soon after Stein added to her total with another. The Kookas were well on top through the center with Sarbacker and Pizzari sharing many possessions and on top of their opponents Denielle David and Helen Spinks who were trying hard for the Bombers. The Kooka pair gave Stein another opportunity to goal late in the quarter. At the last break it was the Kookas leading by 50 points 9.4.58 to Milwaukee 1.2.8
The last term was the Lady Kookas best by far. The teamwork came together and the Atlanta squad showed why they are already red hot favorites to take their fourth National title this year. Sue Marsh and Kim Wilkins both returned to the forward line after stints further up the field and were immediately effective. Marsh's disposal accurate and always to her teams advantage had a hand in several early goals by Wilkins and Stein. Later in the term Marsh added two more goals to her own tally with smart play and great skills. The Lady Kookas piled on seven unanswered goals for the 15 minute term and all could have been considered team efforts as the handball and support for each other was a catalyst in all goals..
The final margin of 95 points a fair indication the Lady Kookas had a great day and well on the way to another great season. The Milwaukee Lady Bombers battled hard all day and although undermanned they were gallant in defeat.
Atlanta Lady Kookaburras 16.7 (103)
Milwaukee Lady Bombers 1.2 (8)
Best Players
Atlanta: Diana Pizzari, Jenny Sarbacker, Sue Marsh, Katie Grist, Judith Stein
Milwaukee: Katie Krauss, Denielle David, Helen Spink, Megan Krauss, Suzy Thomas
Goalkickers:
Atlanta: Judith Stein 5, Sue Marsh 4, Jenny Sarbacker 2, Betty Pat 2, Diana Pizzari, Dewi Mitchell & Kim Wilkins 1 each.
Milwaukee: Suzy Thomas 1. |
