TROPICS Women’s Hockey Club captured the female title after a 1-0 penalty shoot-out victory over UTech, while Explorers Men’s Hockey Club lifted the male title by beating a strong UWI team 1-0 in the championship decider at the third annual UWI Pelican Hockey Invitational last Saturday.

In the female final, UTech dominated most of the exchanges with Tropics reverting to a counter-attacking tactic which saw both teams creating numerous chances but failing to get past two outstanding goalkeepers.

Regular time ended in a stalemate and had to be decided by penalties. Much of the same followed with each ‘keeper delivering save after save. Tropics finally managed to get past the UTech custodian in what proved to be the deciding penalty by Shanna-Kay Tulloch. Pikiesha Powell of Tropics was named the Best Goalkeeper as well as the tournament MVP for the female section.

In the male final, Explorers came out 1-0 winners over UWI, courtesy of a Leon Kerr strike. UWI entered the final as favourites after putting in some tremendous attacking displays over the course of the day.

Explorers owe extensive praise to Oudney Hewitt, voted Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, who delivered impressive stops to preserve the precious 1-0 advantage to the final whistle. Rjay Wollen of Explorers captured the MVP award with UWI’s Giovanni Campbell winning the leading scorer for the day.

Explorers’ victory broke the two-year reign of Circus Circle, who failed to advance past the zone division.

“The tournament is growing, teams are developing more each year and the victory by Explorers is a testament to that. There is growing interest in the sport of hockey and with that we are looking forward to expanding as we have already initiated with the addition of the U-19 category. This year is extremely satisfying and we will start planning for next year as soon as tomorrow, as we will be seeking to invite regional and international clubs and institutions for the next instalment,” noted Dalton Myers, director of sports at the University of the West Indies.

Earlier in the day Wolmer’s Boys defeated JC in an enthralling final which went to sudden death in the dreaded penalty shoot-out. Justin Frith of Wolmer’s claimed the MVP title, where all received prizes from tournament sponsor Hi-Lyte and Seprod Ltd.