It took a little longer then they would have liked, but the Avalon female ball hockey team captured gold at the NL Summer Games in CBS after a marathon game with the host team.
The teams were deadlocked at one goal apiece as they slogged through not one, but two overtime periods before a shot directed at the host goal careened off a defender and into the back of the net for Avalon’s golden goal. The game was played at the CBS Stadium in Kelligrews on Aug. 20.
Kelsey Shute picked up the win in goal for Avalon.
The gold medal victory capped an impressive tournament for Avalon. The lone goal scored by the host team in the final was the first one allowed by Avalon in five games.
They opened the tournament with a 3-0 victory over Western on Aug. 18, which was followed by a 2-0 defeat of St. John’s.
On Day 2 of the tournament, Avalon blanked Eastern 2-0 and Mount Pearl 5-0 to set up the final with a formidable host squad. They were also 4-0 heading into the final.
Members of the championship team are: Abigail Gambin (Dunville), Abigail Reynolds (Harbour Grace), Camryn Taylor (Bristol’s Hope), Dakota Sheppard (Harbour Grace), Emma Russell (Blaketown), Hillary Neville (Placentia), Kelsey Shute (Harbor Grace), Kristen Shute (Harbour Grace), Mackenzie Chipman (Spaniard’s Bay), Mackenzie Crane (Spaniard’s Bay), Madison Petten (Bay Roberts), Rhiannon Kelly (Victoria), Samantha Pike (Harbour Grace), Shailynn Snow (Clarke’s Beach), Shelby Batten (Bareneed) and Tyra Lannon (Placentia).
Coaching staff was Erin Earle (Bay Roberts), Trudy Russell (Blaketown) and Kim Lannon (Placentia).