Kovsies claimed third place in the first Varsity Hockey tournament by beating UP-Tuks 1-0 on their home turf.
It was a hard-fought affair with the teams very evenly matched, but in the end Kovsies captain Line Malan’s lone strike was enough to hand her team victory.
The home side made a strong start to the match, forcing Kovsies onto the back foot in their own half, and got a few early shots in on goal.
Kovsies were battling to maintain possession and had to rely on counter-attacking movements to threaten the Tuks defence.
Despite Tuks’ dominance they could not find the finishing touch and the teams went into the first break tied up at 0-0.
The visitors started the second period with real purpose and after a sustained period of pressure captain Malan came up with a great deflection to notch the opening goal.
Tuks were rattled and threw everything at the Free State side as they searched for a response, but Kovsies held out and took a 1-0 lead into the second break.
The hosts pressed hard as they looked for a way back into the game but struggled to find a way through the determined Kovsies defence.
Tuks had a few late opportunities to send the game into extra time, but it was not to be as Kovsies edged them to take third place.
The scorers:
For Kovsies: Line Malan
