Leaving points on the field was the major concern for Ron Shadbolt and his Melton Hockey Club coaching staff going into last weekend’s bye.
The Mustangs’ women’s side is fourth on the Victorian women’s hockey league ladder and right in the hunt for at least a finals berth.
But Melton could have been vying for a home final had it converted any of the three draws from its eight matches into wins.
“We have lost only two games for the season but the three draws have really hurt us,” Shadbolt said.
“We dominated those games but just weren’t able to put the goals into the net. One of the things we’ll talk about over the bye is how to improve that set-up.”
The draws are one of the few negatives for Shadbolt, whose team is showing all the signs of making a run deep into the post-season.
The Mustangs have been one of the few teams to match it with top-of-the-ladder Old Xaverians, who are undefeated.
Melton became the first team to put two goals past the Old Xavs’ defence, before going down 5-2.
“When a team comes down from a higher level, like they have, they play a little bit crisper and a little bit quicker,” Shadbolt said.
“In the second half of that game we made our positional changes, played at a higher pace, played on at all costs and we ended in a 2-2 draw in the second half. That shows we’re capable.
“When we face them next time we’ll know how to counter their plays and I expect us to come close to a draw or tip the balance.”
Melton will this week play a season-defining match against third-placed Westvic.
A win for the Mustangs would go a long way to securing the club’s finals place.
The two sides last played in round one, when Westvic won 2-1.
“We actually outplayed them [in round one],” Shadbolt said.
“We just couldn’t get it on the scoreboard. We just didn’t finish off in the circle to score those goals.
“It is a crunch game for us. To make sure we are in finals we need to win another five games.”
