St Andrew High retain Under-16 hockey crown

BY PAUL BURROWES Observer writer

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

TENNEISSA Jackson chalked up her fifth goal of the season for St Andrew High for Girls to clip Alpha Academy 1-0 yesterday to retain their Under-16 Schoolgirl Hockey title at Mona.

Jackson hit home in the sixth minute as St Andrew High, under visionary coach Dr Michelle Holt, are setting new standards in a sport that they play all year even as they fulfil the national ambitions of their players.

“Perfect win,” said Dr Holt, “no complaints”.

“First half was Andrews. In the second half we came under a lot of pressure... we stood up well to it and it’s credit to the defence and the midfield line, and for the record the goalkeeper didn’t have to make a save,” explained coach Holt.

Adding the Under-16 to the Under-19 schoolgirl title, Dr Holt noted that “we must be doing something right at St Andrew”.

“We are not just trying to win but we are developing players... putting a lot of emphasis on physical fitness, footwork, and agility,” she pointed out.

Alpha coach Kirk King said his girls were timid and nervous in the first half, finally settling down in the second half.

“We played a very hard game in the second half. It was very unfortunate that we didn’t get a goal,” he stated.

“It was always going to be a hard fight against Andrews,” especially with Alpha’s key player Jhanell Johnson not having a good game, he added. St Andrew’s Simone Gardner was named MVP of the final.

Mona High beat Immaculate Conception High 3-2 on penalties in the third-place play-off, with Kimone Johnson converting twice and Shanique Hutchinson adding the third goal. Carla Russell and Kimberly Mason scored for Immaculate Conception High.

Samantha Jones of Papine High School ended the season as top goalscorer with seven goals.