Stellenbosch University cruised to a 4-0 victory over the University of the Free State on the second day of Varsity Hockey at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday.
Maties never really hit top gear, but for them it seemed more like they were taking the car for a Sunday afternoon drive rather than racing around a racetrack.
They took 21 minutes to score their first goal as Kovsies made a spirited start to the game, but the 2014 runners-up had wrapped up the win with a 3-0 lead less than half-an-hour later as they upped their intensity and accuracy in the second half.
Kovsies tied Maties down well in the first quarter, with just a couple of half-chances not taken by Dayne Samboer and Keenan Horne, while Loufrans Esterhuizen was on song in the UFS goal.
Ironically, Maties made it on to the scoreboard in the Kovsies powerplay as Alex Stewart beat a couple of defenders with an excellent dribble, moved the ball on to his reverse-sticks side and fired home a fine finish.
Just before halftime, Maties earned a short-corner and Daniel Bell’s shot was saved off the line by Jaco van der Watt, but the ball rebounded a couple of yards off his stick and Stellenbosch captain Dylan Swanepoel popped it into goal for a 2-0 lead.
Swanepoel then turned provider in the 49th minute as he drove strongly to the baseline and flipped the ball back, Horne receiving the pass and slotting a super reverse-sticks shot.
Maties grabbed their fourth goal with just two minutes remaining as Luke Schooling penetrated the circle and unselfishly laid off for Shannon Boucher to score.
FNB Player of the Match: Charles Bowren (Maties)
Mugg & Bean Star Saver: Loufrans Esterhuizen (Kovsies)
Samsung Super Striker: Keenan Horne (Maties)
By Ken Borland
