Sport
15 June, 2024
Futsal girls place fourth in first year at finals
Lowood State High School’s (LSHS) U16 girls placed fourth out of 40 teams in the Schools Futsal League, following three rounds and a subsequent finals day.
LSHS had some decisive wins in the three rounds at the Brisbane-based Nissan Arena, before facing a rise in class on the finals day at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre.
Four pools of four teams were set to play at Coomera on May 29, although one pool was reduced when St Andrew’s Anglican College pulled out two days beforehand.
After LSHS drew Chancellor College 4-all and then trounced Mansfield 11-1, the Lowood and Chancellor teams had a penalty shootout at Coomera due to having the same goal differential.
Two fine saves from goalkeeper Alicija Sajkar in the penalty shootout enabled LSHS to qualify for the semi-finals, which featured the top-placed team from each pool.
Eventual champion Murrumba State Secondary College defeated LSHS 4-3, before LSHS had the same result against Islamic College in a play-off for third place.
LSHS coach Jacob Veraart said fourth place could not be understated considering it was the first year LSHS entered the competition, while other teams fielded players from the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and National Premier Leagues (NPL).
“This (LSHS) team showed a lot of defensive discipline to reach the stage along with the ability to be calm and execute in the penalty shootout,” he said.
“They had to adjust to the higher level of competition, in particular against Murrumba who played to a much higher level than the girls had experienced.
“After being 3-1 down at half-time, the girls adapted defensively and won the second half 2-1.”
Mr Veraart said the Lowood players always played in the right spirit and represented the school with pride.
LSHS’s coach also thanked the sponsors and the Lowood RSL sub branch for their support.
Most of the LSHS U16 futsal girls are gearing up for their next challenge, which will be the U19 Southern Queensland Futsal Championships from June 19 to 21.
