Congratulations to our worthy winners at this years Northcote College Sports Prizegiving.

Millie Iddon - Player of the Year and top goal scorer with 9 for the season.

Charlie Shepherd - Ford Shield winner - Player of the tournament as voted by you all.

Jade Setford - Most Improved Player

Sophie Hughes - Outstanding versatility and commitment 

Lotte de Groot - Outstanding dedication and leadership   

See her for the tournament results 

August 17: Result 1-0 Win

Sophie and Briana were on the sideline this week, still on the road to recovery before tournament.

We also had the challenging news that our star goalie Emily Potter was also out this week with illness.

Alot of discussion in the team before Waihuia put her hand up to help out the team in our moment of need.

The game plan was the same as previous weeks.  Try to retain possession and keep our passes accurate.

We played well and were good on attack in moving the ball up the field but our gremlins in keeping the ball when taking a 16 were back and we were turning over the ball in our own quarter.  Thankfully our defence and stand in goalie were up to the challenge as Takapuna put us under some pressure.

We kept the belief and went into the last quarter with the call again to finish strong.  We had more attacking runs and Muiwai had a great shot at the goal.  This was deflected back by the Takapuna goalie only for Muiwai to pounce on it again and fire home the goal!

A few tense minutes as the clock ran down and then we had a deserved win to finish our regular season.

Some great momentum as we move into tournament at the end of the month.

Player of the Day was Miuwai for an excellent effort and great goal in her last regular season game for the school.

August 10: Result 0-1 Loss

Our substitution woes continued this week.  Sophie was running subs on the sideline due to injury and we had Waihuia joining us for the rest of the year and tournament but Briar was out with injury meaning we did start with 3 subs.

This was reduced to 2 after Briana was hit in the finger of a wild shot by the opposition.  This ruled her out for the rest of the game and she joined Sophie on the sideline screaming their support.

We were playing well and trying to retain possession.  As this was a(nother) non comp game we were also experimenting with some different positions for some players with an eye for tournament where we may have some forced changes.

Half time saw us 1-0 down with a shot that almost lazily rolled in after beating defence and the goalie.

Emily P had a great game with some more critical saves but we were not threatening enough.

Lotte called for the team to push hard and have fun in the last quarter and the girls had attempt after attempt on the Kingsway goal and were unlucky to not to find an equaliser.

Some great contributions around the field with Waihuia having a great game back in 1st XI colours and Emma clearing our goal a number of times. Miuwai played well linking nicely with the forwards.

Player of the Day to be confirmed after training tonight.

July 27: Result 0-1 Loss

Despite having 2 substitutes at the start, we knew this was going to be a challenge with a few girls recovering from injury and illness and looking to play limited time.

Things got much worse with Sophie coming off 30 seconds after going on with a reaggravation of an existing leg injury.

Meanwhile the Westlake team had plenty of subs and were running us down.  They scored in the early part of the second quarter and threatened to run away with the game.

Talk at half time was about us playing sensible hockey, holding on to the ball as we planned and not chasing the game.

The girls settled into the task and started to threaten the Westlake goal.  

The effort picked up and I was proud of how the girls played in any position needed and the one sub rotated off and on quickly.

Despite a much improved second half, we were unable to find an equaliser and the game finished at 1-0 to Westlake.

July 20: Result 0-1 Loss

First game back after the school holidays and with some key players out and recovering from illness, it was going to be another challenge against a physical Rangitoto side.

A very messy start as both sides tried to remember how to play hockey after a 2 week break.  

There was nothing between the sides as Northcote had some good chances but were unable to find the net.

Half time had the teams still level and it wasn't until just before the end of the 3rd quarter that Rangitoto managed to get one past the Northcote goalie.

Despite some last minute attacks by Northcote we were unable to get the equaliser and the game finished 1-0.

Player of the Day was Eden Ripley-Lafu who filled in brilliantly at Centre Half and was everywhere in attack and defense.

June 29: Result 1-1 Draw

It was always going to be a challenge with no substitutes against a young fit Rangi Junior Prem team with 5 on their bench.

We were one goal down in the first quarter and had to dig deep to stay in the game.

The girls played for each other and were rewarded in the 4th quarter with a great goal from Millie Iddon.

A well deserved 1-1 draw that felt like a win for the team.

Player of the Day was Emily Potter with some fantastic late saves to keep us in the game.

June 15: Result 0-2 Loss

We headed to Rangitoto for our first game at Grade 2 after promotion after the grading games.

First up was the Rangitoto 2nd XI.

Good conditions for hockey but we struggled to get into the game initially.  

Our game started to improve, with Monique injecting her usual burst of speed into the game and the team starting to link well.

It was still nil all at the end of the first quarter and we started the second quarter with some good attacks.  However it was Rangitoto who scored first with a quick run into the circle and a fast shot that found the back of the net.

Talk at half time was to continue the passing game and try to pick up the tempo.

We again created some opportunities but were unable to capatilise and it was Rangitoto again who scored in the 3rd quarter.

Northcote kept up the pressure but we were unable to get a goal and the game finished 2-0 to Rangi.

Our first loss of the season but some good improvements in our width of play and passing and some more focus at training on finishing.

June 1: Result 5-0 Win

It was another well executed game from the girls last night out on Harbour 5.

Another rematch against St Mary's after the draw last time where we couldn't find the back of the net despite creating opportunities.

The training has paid off this time with the girls much more ruthless in taking their opportunities.

The squad was also bolstered with three players from the 2nd XI who joined us straight from their win in the early game.  Thanks to Waihuia, Leela and Nadine.

Northcote controlled the game and ended up winning 5-0 with a dominant display.

Goals came from Sophie, Nadine, Millie, Charlie and Monique.  It was a good opportunity to execute on our game plan of playing fast and using the width.  

Great play right across the team and we have cemented our place at the top of the table.

May 18: Result - 3-0 Win

A great win for the girls tonight at Harbour against Westlake.

Despite having some late minute withdrawals due to illness we had a strong start with Leela stepping in to play for the team.

Charlie kicked things off with a great goal 5 minutes in and Briana followed up with a great goal in the 2nd quarter to have Northcote up 2-0 at half time.

The second half saw us focussing more on our passing and quick play but it wasn't until the last quarter that Lotte stepped up at a Penalty Corner and fired in a shot that the goalie had no answer for.

I great 3-0 win to Northcote who are progressing nicely after two earlier draws.

Player of the Day was Millie Musgrove and a shout out to Carmen for umpiring for us.

May 11: Result - 0-0 Draw

The 1st XI had the late start at Rangitoto in the rain and hail against the St Mary's Sky team.  It was a tense game and despite the Northcote girls having the majority of the opportunities we were unable to find the back of the net.  The St Mary's goalie was kept very busy.  The game ended in a 0 all draw but there was some great play by the team. 

May 4: Result - 3-3 Draw

It was a damp start to the season with a closely fought game against Glenfield College 1st XI to kick things off.

The girls started with an early goal to Sophie with an assist by Jade.  Glenfield scored a few minutes later to end the first quarter all tied up.

The second quarter saw a more even game with Sophie getting on the end of a great ball from Charlie to again take the lead into half time.

A rev up from our Captain Lotte at half time worked and we were playing better hockey in the third quarter.  Unfortunately we then lost Emily in defence after getting a whack on the hand from a wayward opponent's stick.

Despite this we pushed on and Sophie bought up her hattrick with a great goal.

Lack of subs and possibly fitness started to show and by the end of the 3rd quarter Glenfield had pulled it back to 3-2.

The last quarter was all about hanging on and the war of attrition continued with Briana also forced off after getting hit on the hand too.

Glenfield scored with three minutes to go and despite a great last charge and shot from Charlie, Northcote were unable to steal the win.

A great first game and a fair result with the 3 all draw.

Bring on next week!