The Atlanta Lady Kookaburras made it into double figures this past weekend with their tenth win in a row from just ten games. Arriving at the game on Saturday players were greeted with a lush green field that was soon discovered to be a good disguise for a mud bath. The Lady Kookas tested their skills and their endeavor and came through with flying colors as they took control of the game with 4 goals in the first quarter and never looked back.
Katie Grist led from the start in the ruck in only her second game and showed she is going to be an integral part of the Lady Kookas success in the years ahead. Ann Collins also only in her second game showed some early promise posting the first goal of the game with a handy snap from 25 yards out. Judith Stein then systematically dismantled any hopes for the home team with three more goals for the quarter to give the Lady Kookas a handy 19 point lead at the first break in the increasingly difficult conditions.
As the game continued the Kookas backline stood as firm as ever. Dewi Mitchell was strong and Kris Kubicek sensational in her first appearance since last years Nationals in Las Vegas. The second term was all the Lady Kookas as Stein added three more goals to her tally with the help of Diana Pizzari and Stephanie Powell working hard through the midfield. Alabama 'Aussies' Betty Pat and returning from injury Sue Marsh certainly made great contributions in the tough conditions around the half forward line. At the main break it was Atlanta by 39 points with a seemingly strangle hold on the game.
Coach Kraska swung some changes in the second half to keep his players fresh and offer some new challenges. Christina Murdock moved from Full Back onto the ball and later to Full Forward and she immediately added to the Kookas score with a goal. Meanwhile Grist in the middle was still dominating and with Kubicek continuing her great game the Lady Kookas still had plenty of winners. Milwaukee kicked two goals for the term just to show that their game is improving and that they need not be underestimated in the future.
The last term saw Murdock and Stein add another goal each as the Kookas ran out comfortable winners by 48 points. In summary a great team effort by the Lady Kookas as they keep bringing on new players to the sport and keep winning. Hats off to the Milwaukee Bombers also who are building some momentum and remain the team likely to give the Kookas the most trouble come October at the National Championships in Louisville KY.
8/25/2007 - Brown Deer Park, Brown Deer, WI
Milwaukee Explosion 1.0 1.1 3.2 3.2 (20) Atlanta Lady Kookaburras 4.2 7.4 8.5 10.8 (68)
Goalkickers: Judith Stein 7, Christina Murdock 2, Ann Collins 1.
Best Players: Kris Kubicek, Katie Grist, Judith Stein, Christina Murdock, Dewi Mitchell
