Six HC Knole Park juniors play for England!
Six juniors from HC Knole Park played for England U16 and U18 Girls sides over February Half-Term. Anna, Charlotte, Evie, Josefina, Lottie, and Olivia all played in successful 3-0 series wins against Ulster at Lilleshall National Sports Centre.
In the U16 matches the England team got off to a flying start and it was Knole Park’s Josefina who scored the first goal of the match with a superb backhand strike after 2 minutes. Moments later Liv netted twice – once with a fantastic deflection, and secondly with a very composed 1v1 against the goalkeeper. Not satisfied with three of the opening four goals, Evie smashed home England’s fifth goal with a thunderbolt from the top of the D! The match finished 9-0 to England.
In match two it was once again the Knole Park girls who featured in the goal scoring as Evie and Liv both scored again as England won 5-0. Evie's goal was a wonderful backhand deflection as the ball was hit high and wide of the goal. A superb finish. Liv scored from typical Liv scoring range showing her quality and knowledge of the game to be in the right place at the right time. The goals always looked threatening on the ball and ran some great support lines too. Liv down the right hand side was incredible as she eliminated the opposition at will and created several opportunities for her team mates, including two assists. In match three the England girls secured a 2-0 win to take the series 3-0.
In the U18 matches Lottie starred in all three matches. In match one they won 4-1 with Lottie deflecting home from close range, as well as picking up an assist. In match two it was more of the same as Lottie robbed the Northern Irish midfielder before playing an excellent 1-2 with her team mate, before smashing the ball past the on rushing goalkeeper! Into the second half and some sublime skill down the right-hand side from Lottie saw her return the favour as she put her team mate as she put the ball on a plate in for the easiest of finishes. Josefina and Anna, who had both starred the day before for the U16s were moved up to the U18s for this match too and the link up between the three Knole Park play-makers was fantastic to see! The match finished 4-2.
In the final match Lottie was again on the score sheet as she finished from close range in a comfortable 4-1 win, to give England a 3-0 series win, and Lottie was the second top scorer in the squad. From midfield this was an excellent achievement!
Duncan Parnis, HC Knole Park’s Director of Coaching, said: “The girls were superb throughout the three days. I was so proud to see them all play so well at the highest level. At times there were five Knole Park players on the pitch at the same time which is just remarkable! All the girls are so committed to their hockey and play so well every week; it was great to be able to stand back and just enjoy watching them play.”