Forge finish with flourish to win Women’s Championship
Forge went one better than last year avenging their 2021 runners-up spot to secure the 2022 title with a 10-6 win against Hustle.
Forge went down in their opening game of The Fly 2022 against Rise by one goal, but managed to turn the tables in the semi-final to win 12-11 and set up a meeting with #1 seeds Hustle who beat Swift 8-6 in their semi.
Forge were dealt an early blow when Serena Grace was shown a red card in the first quarter with the score at just 1-0 and expelled from the action for the rest of the final.
However, Forge managed to stabilise and get through to the ¼ time break with a 2-1 lead.
The low scoring continued through to Q2 with the final becoming a cagey contest dominated by both goalkeepers and penalties.
It was Hustle though who managed to edge ahead, Julie Wise first equalised, then Lottie Paterson put Hustle in front on a two-man up situation to lead 3-2 at the half.
Following the break, the game finally opened up and a manic third quarter saw the teams finally hit their scoring stride, firstly Forge who took at one stage a 7-4 lead spearheaded by a double from Ella Cohen; before Hustle then responded with two of their own to make it just 7-6 at 3/4 time.
Forge took the slender lead into the final quarter but then produced a perfect eight minutes of lacrosse that won them the tie.
Iona Westwood sinked two brilliant long-range worm burners in quick succession, catching Dylan Whittington out both times who had been a formidable force in goal for Hustle all competition.
And with a three-goal lead, Forge then defended superbly, keeping Hustle to a blank in the final period, while Anna Saunter rounded off the scoring to bring Forge a well-deserved first title at The Fly.
In the 3rd/4th play-off, rise put their tight semi-final defeat behind them
Women’ Championship Final Standings
Forge
Hustle
Rise
Swift
Top Scorers
20 Ella Cohen - Forge
16 Cece Green - Swift
15 Julie Wise - Hustle
13 Alice Ripper - Forge
12 Emma Savage - Rise