Great team effort from Nichols Gravel U14 Twisters at Regionals
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Tillsonburg Nichols Gravel U14 Twisters gave it everything they had at the Western Region Ringette Regionals in Guelph on the weekend.
Nichols Gravel 6, Kitchener 3
After giving up the first goal Friday night, the U14 Twisters settled down to control the rest of the game.
Two great passes from Trisha Loucks and Hannah Bosma were finished off by a great deke by Lauren Robbins. Another nifty move by Robbins resulted in her second goal, assisted by Bosma and Alyssa Parsons.
Kitchener got one back to make it close, but a Stephanie Parker goal, assisted by Loucks, put Tillsonburg up for good.
Leading 3-2 after the first period, the Nichols Gravel U14s continued to dominate the second. Goals by Bosma, from Parker, and two by Katie Becht, with an assist from Kaitlyn Gee, were enough to secure a Game 1 victory.
Incredible goaltending from Savannah Baker, said Nichols Gravel head coach Bob Becht, with great defensive play in front of her helped Tillsonburg win 6-3.
"Great start by all my girls," said coach Becht. "You never want to lose your first game. Great team effort."
Tillsonburg scoring: 1. Lauren Robbins (Tishara Loucks, Hannah Bosma); 2. Lauren Robbins (Hannah Bosma, Alyssa Parsons); 3. Stephanie Parker (Tishara Loucks); 4. Hannah Bosma (Stephanie Parker); 5. Katie Becht (Kaitlyn Gee); 6. Katie Becht.
Nichols Gravel 6, Mitchell 3
A much better start to Game 2, said Nichols Gravel coach Bob Becht.
Lauren Robbins scored on another great deke, assisted by Hannah Bosma. A great wide open pass from Bosma to Stephanie Parker put Tillsonburg up by two.
Mitchell scored late in the first to finish the period trailing 2-1.
Three straight Tillsonburg goals from Katie Becht (unassisted), Bosma (Mariah Barras) and Robbins early in the second put the game out of reach.
Parker added another on a one-timer from Bosma to finish the scoring.
"Another solid defensive effort and some spectacular saves from Savannah Baker," said coach Becht.
Tillsonburg scoring: 1. Lauren Robbins (Katie Becht); 2. Stephanie Parker (Katie Becht); 3. Katie Becht; 4. Hannah Bosma (Mariah Barras); 5. Lauren Robbins; 6. Stephanie Parker (Hannah Bosma).
London-2 3, Nichols Gravel 2
Even with two victories, Tillsonburg's third game was a must-win.
"The whole team played their hearts out – gave it all they had left," said U14 Twisters coach Bob Becht.
But London-2 had just enough in the tank to beat Tillsonburg 3-2.
The Twisters came out strong with a goal by Lauren Robbins on a great pass from Katie Becht. Robbins returned the favour 23 seconds later setting up Becht for a two-goal lead with an extra assist on a breakout pass from Justine Lemaich.
Unfortunately for the Twisters, a large London team was able to wear down Tillsonburg scoring three unanswered goals, including the game winner with 2:15 remaining in the second period, to bring the Nichols Gravel season to an end.
"Very proud of the effort and improvement of these girls all year," summed up coach Bob Becht. "Even falling one game short, there was never any quit in this team. They were a great bunch of girls to coach."
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