By Jordan Witte
A complete performance from the Metro Jets Division 6 side on Tuesday night has seen the squad clinch its second victory in a row, crushing Sunshine Heights by 30 goals to rise to fifth on the ladder.
The 42-12 victory came off the back of a monstrous first half from newly announced co-captain Scarlett Padden, who managed to lose her defender countless times.
The diminutive goal attack found herself standing unmarked in the goal circle on multiple occasions, at one point taking shots from the exact same position on the court four times in a row.
The Jets started brightly, with Tristan Comans’ defensive prowess a highlight. Although the youngster is still learning how to use his body, the 13-year-old has prescient timing, leaping to block a shot out of the hands of his opponent in the first quarter.
Comans’ youth mixes nicely with the experience of Morelle Bull and Sarah Flanagan. The three defenders have developed a nice combination, which repelled several Heights attacks during the first quarter.
At the other end, Brooke Zagami and Tanya Beaumont combined well to feed Padden and Melissa Jones in the goal circle.
Coach Claire Macuz had urged her side to continue their search for victories after last week’s win, and while the lead had grown to five goals at the first break, the coach wasn’t overjoyed with the effort displayed by her squad.
“Keep coming up at the ball. Keep pushing,” the coach said.
“Just because it’s hot doesn’t mean you can afford to get lazy. We need to keep our intensity up. I don’t want you to be going at 50 percent.”
The second quarter saw the introduction of Tymms, who immediately continued her good form from the early part of the season. The midcourter’s deep drives to the pocket caused Heights problems from the get-go, opening up space for Padden to work in.
The effort dial was cranked up to 11, with the Jets scoring freely to open up a 10-goal half time advantage.
With a big lead, Macuz urged the side to work on their structures coming down the court. Comans went back into defense, while Bull was moved to goal shooter to take advantage of her height.
To counter any comeback attempt from Heights, the Jets implemented their much-vaunted “Five” zone, which produced multiple intercepts for the defensive players.
Comans alone pulled down eight second-half takeaways, as the Jets put the screws to the Heights.
Bull’s height advantage over her opponent created easy opportunities closer to the goal post. The goaler’s experience opened up the goal circle for her attacking partners as she notched up several assists inside the circle in the second half.
It was all one-way traffic for the second half in the end, as the Jets dominated at both ends to secure their second win on the trot.
The win takes the Division 6 side to at least fifth on the ladder, depending on the results from other matches, and gives them an excellent base on which to build for a finals spot.
Their next match will be against undefeated Eastside, who currently sit second on the ladder, on the 7th of March.
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