It was a scrappy win, but the Northland Women will take it.
Playing at Whangarei Rosvall ITM Stadium, Northland worked hard to rectify a 3-2 loss to Auckland on Saturday, and defeated North Harbour 1-0 yesterday in the opening rounds of the 2011 National Hockey League.
Black Stick Anna Thorpe said to
come away with a win after their disappointing result on Saturday, was a relief.
"It was really disappointing not to to win that game. We were leading 2-0 at halftime but it was just a period of about 12 minutes where we shut down and they rolled in three goals," the 27-year-old said.
Auckland came out after halftime and lifted the intensity, scoring the three unanswered goals. Katie Glynn scored two goals including an exceptional drag flick which she fired into the top right hand corner of the goal, while Honor Dillon added one and for Northland, the Michelsen sisters - Stacey and Carli - scored a goal each.
Northland had ample opportunity to score against North Harbour, dominating play, but they were unable to convert, Thorpe said.
Then five minutes into the second half, fellow Black Stick Charlotte Harrison finally found the back of the net to put Northland into the lead, which they held onto for the rest of the half.
"We had so much possession and shots on goal but we just couldn't convert ... There were a lot of turnovers as well, but a win is a win."
Thorpe and the Northland Women leave for Wellington on Friday for the rest of the NHL tournament, facing Southern first up on Saturday.
The midfielder said it was fantastic to be back with the group after a lengthy stint building up to and contesting the Champions Trophy in the Netherlands.
"It's such a fantastic team and management and it's really positive on the field and off," she said.
