In ideal playing conditions the Strikers players were a bit unsettled at the start, costing them valuable opportunities.

Passes missed their targets as Goulburn took advantage with a couple of short corners, scoring the first goal at the 22-minute mark.

As Strikers settled, Sarah Knight and Georgia McCormick shut down Goulburn’s attackers and momentum took over with the pace of Laura Errey and Erin McNair working well around the middle.

Eryn Norie came on and outpaced Goulburn’s goalie to score Strikers’ first goal.

Ness Purtell, in her 150th game, played strong, solid hockey, working well with Grace Ronnfeldt, who set up a short corner with six minutes to go in the first half.

Nan Latta received the short to slam home Strikers’ second.

After half-time Strikers came out eagerly. Emma Thorneycroft and Sam Daly teamed well with Emerald Beath, giving great options up forward.  

Ashleigh Gould dominated out on the wing with great stick skills, finding Chloe Jones, who was getting plenty of ball and looking dangerous.

The Strikers piled up the short corners but could not add to the score.

With 15 minutes to go, Strikers hit a flat spot and Goulburn regrouped to score off a short corner and then again with a stroke awarded. Goulburn now led 3-2.

It was anyone’s game with both teams playing strong, hard hockey.

Strikers moved the ball well out of defence and up forward.

A short corner came with seven minutes and Jones nailed home Strikers’ third.

In the final minute attacking defender Sarah Knight drilled a powerful shot to the top of the D to find a Goulburn player’s stick.

A damaging ricochet to a Goulburn player’s head brought the game to a 3-all finish.