The KSV Highlanders beat the Lakers Carinthia 3-0 in the final of the win2day Austrian Women’s Hockey League and were crowned Austrian champions for the second time since the club’s existence. The Lakers Carinthia can look forward to the silver medal after their sensational success over the Sabers in the semi-finals. Record champions Sabers St. Pölten defeated league newcomers VSV Lady Hawks in the game for third place, who achieved a strong fourth place in their debut season.
The KSV Highlanders got off to a lightning start in the final game. Already in the second minute, Sara Confidenti impressed with a solo effort, then passed it to Gaja Pezdir, who, with the help of Lakers goalkeeper Anja Adamitsch’s saver, slotted in to make it 1-0 early. The Styrians continued to control the first section, but were unable to increase the score for the time being.
It took almost seven minutes in the middle third before the next goal celebration took place: Lena Dauböck served Marijelle Dijkema on a breakaway when she was outnumbered, who made it 2-0. The Lakers then rebelled again and found chances to score, but were unable to overcome Anna Horakova.
Horakova also impressed in the final section and kept the box clean. The Highlanders finally played home the title safely – Lena Dauböck made the final score 3-0 with an empty netter. For the KSV Neuberg Highlanders, it is the second Austrian championship they have won after their state championship title.
Goalkeeper Anna Horakova, who celebrated a shutout in the final, was named MVP of the tournament.
Lena Dauböck, KSV Highlanders: “The team showed an iron defense and a strong goalkeeping performance. I am so proud of our team that we carried it through to the end. Now we will celebrate extensively.”
Alina Hinum, Lakers Carinthia: “The result in the final is of course disappointing. But we are very proud of the silver medal. Next season we will give everything again to get back to the final and then perhaps emerge as winners.”
Sabers secure bronze
The Sabers St. Pölten took third place in the win2day Austrian Women’s Hockey League with a 4-1 win over the VSV Lady Hawks.
The Sabers St. Pölten started the encounter much more actively, but again – as in the semi-final – had problems converting their chances. The compact Villach women waited patiently for their chances and got them.
In a clever attack in the eighth minute, Lian Chang served AWHL top scorer Liga Miljone in the slot, who scored to make it 1-0 for the Lady Hawks. But this time the Sabres’ reaction was quick: just a minute after falling behind, the Lower Austrians successfully disrupted the Lady Hawks’ build-up game, and Madison Laberge served captain Charlotte Wittich, who broke her team’s goal spell in this tournament and equalized.
In the second section, the St. Pölten women took the lead for the first time this weekend: Hanna Obermayr successfully got through the boards and set up Kinga Jokai-Szilagyi, who scored the opening goal. The Sabers seemed to have broken the knot: In the 31st minute, Ashley Tashiuk used a rebound after a shot from Wittich to make it 3-1.
Madison Laberge set the final point of the encounter in the 52nd minute. The Sabers ultimately secured the bronze medal with a 4-1 win. The “Best Player Awards” went to Kinga Jokai-Szilagyi (SAB) and goalkeeper Jane Gervais (VLH).
Charlotte Wittich, captain of the Sabers St. Pölten: “After missing the final and the pressure of the last few weeks, we were able to show morale after a difficult start and pull ourselves together for a confident victory.”
Elisa Brunner, VSV Lady Hawks: “The Sabers were the stronger team today, they skated more than us and deserved to win.”win2day Austrian Women’s Hockey League:
Austrian Women’s Hockey League
Final:
KSV Highlanders – Lakers Carinthia 3:0 (1:0,1:0,1:0)
Goals KSV: Pezdir (2./pp1), Dijkema (27./sh1), Dauböck (60./sh1, en.)
Game for third place:
Sabers St. Pölten – VSV Lady Hawks 4:1 (1:1,2:0,1:0)
Goals SAB: Wittich (9th), Jokai-Szilagy (23rd), Taciuk (31st), Laberge (52nd)
Goals VLH: Miljone (8.)
www.eishockey.at, Pic: DerHandler
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