Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIA’s junior women’s skating team got off to a great start at the World Skate Games with two comprehensive victories in their opening matches.
On Tuesday, 1 November they beat the United States 8-1, before thumping the host nation Argentina 15-1 the next day.
Here is coach Brian Sobel’s report on their win against the USA:
“Team Namibia opened up their world championships hopes against the number one ranked country USA. Namibia was ready and took control from the opening face-off. Namibia’s speed and skill were too much for the Americans to handle and Namibia began to pepper the American goalie with shots.
“Namibia opened the scoring in the 3rd minute when Ania Borstlap won a battle along the boards and centred the puck to Maike Dedig, who did not hesitate and buried the puck into the back of the goal.
A few minutes later Namibia swarmed the American goalie and Leighzene Coetzee hammered a loose puck rebound into the net. Eight minutes later, team captain, Christine Rottcher found the net to give Namibia a 3-0 lead by half time.
Namibian goalie Jada Tati, was only tested a few times during the first half, but was equal to the task each time.
At the start of the second half the game tightened up a bit as the Americans
began to focus their efforts on defence. Just the same, Namibia continued to
control the game and apply pressure. It took them six minutes to open the scoring through Maike Dedig, assisted by Ania Borstlap, but then the floodgates opened.
At the 6:19 mark, Christine Rottcher scored, assisted by Leighzene Coetzee, and two minutes later Ania Borstlap buried a backdoor play, assisted by Ieesha Hilukiluah to put Namibia 6-0 ahead.
Namibia would add two more goals, one by Dedig, assisted by Borstlap, and another by Christine Rottcher, assisted by Leighzene Coetzee. The final score was 8-1 in favour of Namibia.
Namibian captain Christine Rottcher said of the game:
“It was a team effort, we all skated hard and wanted our first game at Worlds to be memorable, we got to play USA and I am so proud of these girls.”
Namibia overpower Argentina
On Wednesday, Namibia overpowered the host nation Argentina 15-1, after racing into a 10-1 lead by half time.
“On the opening faceoff Christine Rottcher took the puck and skated through the defence and just missed on a breakaway, but that play set the tone for the rest of the game.
“Namibia was in control of the game from start to finish. The junior ladies
had too much skill, speed and ability for Argentina to handle, to take a commanding 10-1 half time lead.
“In the second half Namibia slowed down a bit and only scored five more goals. Rottcher had a fantastic game with 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists), while the other goal scorers were Lana Bajorat (2), Lomarie Fourie (2), Ania Borstlap (2), Ieesha Hilukiluah (2) and Maike Dedig (1). Assists by: Leighzene Coetzee, Lana Bajorat (2), Maike Dedig (2).
Michelle Wirtz was in goal for Namibia and played solidly, with the only goal conceded coming from a breakaway.
Christine Rottcher said after the game: “It was really exciting with the
Argentinian crowd, they were so loud and kept it up the whole game. It was a really special game to play in and against the hosting country and see how they support their teams. I was happy with our game, I think we could have moved the puck better but we got the job done today and I am proud of the girls.”
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