It was a thrilling end to Melton’s semi-final against Monash University in the opening round of Hockey Victoria women’s Vic League2 finals.
The two teams couldn’t be separated at the end of the do-or-die semi-final, with scores locked at 1-1, leaving it to penalties to decide the winner.
In the shoot-out, the Mustangs scored four goals to two to take the win and advance to the preliminary final.
Co-coach Ron Shadbolt said it was the first time the side had played in a penalty shoot-out, and there were a few nervous people watching from the sidelines.
“Monash were in front in the first half, and then we won the second half,” he said. “Our defence got on top, and it was very exciting.
“David [Gorton] the other coach just said to the players to play as you would in practice. Whatever the result, it doesn’t matter, just be positive.”
The side will now play WestVic Hockey this weekend for a spot in the grand final.
Despite not beating WestVic in the regular season, Shadbolt said Melton would go into the game with confidence.
“We beat them in the pre-season, but they’ve had the wood over us,” he said.
“The last couple of times, we’ve had players missing with injuries. I’m hoping this coming week it will be more even.”
The reserves will take on MHSOB this weekend, also in a preliminary final. They lost to Monash University 3-1 in their semi-final.
Shadbolt said three years of hard work had come to fruition to get both sides into finals.
The top side didn’t make it last year.
“This is really three years of hard work. We didn’t have a competitive reserves side and, at times, sacrificed the senior team,” he said.
“Now there’s really little difference between the two sides, just experience.”
It was a good weekend for the Mustangs with both senior and reserves men’s teams also winning their Hockey Victoria men’s Vic League 3 finals. The senior side will play Bayside in a preliminary final, while the reserves moved through to the grand final.
The club’s mixed under-14 side, including some girls playing in the reserves side, will play in a grand final on Friday night.
