The Catherine McAuley College senior girl's netball squad put up a hard-fought effort to secure a spot in the School Sport Victoria regional championships.
The CMC girls were undefeated in the Sandhurst division after three "tightly contested" games against Castlemaine Secondary College, Marist College Bendigo and Bendigo Senior Secondary College.
CMC's lead was reduced to only six goals at the last break after a strong start during the first match of the day against Castlemaine.
Emmie Banfield came back onto the court as goal keeper to help put an end to the flow of Castlemaine's goals and paired with strong plays from CMC wing attack Darcey Lloyd, it was hard for their opponents to breakthrough.
CMC held down the court and finished the game with a ten-goal lead, the final scores were 36-26.
In the second game against Marist College CMC goal shooter Keeley Jones and goal attack Tess Keating started with accurate and "slick passing" which gave the squad a solid start.
Madeline Marks in goal defence locked down the goal circle and moved the ball quickly back down to the other end of the court.
Mattise Perez's back-up support helped move the ball back into the goal circle, paired with wing defence Meg Layton who created many turnovers.
The team had firm control on the game from start to finish to secure a 25-goal win, final scores 40-15.
Keep scrolling to read about the nail-biting final match with BSSC, hear from the CMC coach Anthea McEniry, photos and for more of the Bendigo Advertiser's latest netball news.
In the match of the day CMC were up against BSSC in a nail-biting match where both teams fought to the very end.
At the end of the first quarter BSSC held a four-goal lead, and after changes to CMC's positions in the goal circle it allowed for more opportunities.
However, the BSSC goalscorers proved too strong and held their lead at half time, now with a five-goal buffer.
Strong turnovers from Lloyd, Bridie Semmens and Banfield paved the way for Perez and Keeley Jones to transition the ball into the goal third in an attempt to take the lead back from BSSC.
At the start of the last quarter, there was just one goal between the teams, in BSSC's favour.
BSSC took control early with a turnover and a centre-pass goal.
However, the CMC girls were determined to not let the opportunity of playing in the regional finals slip away.
Ashlee O'Shea and Keating kept the goals coming despite the immense pressure from BSSC.
With less than one minute left on the clock the scores were locked at 19-19 and the ball hovered around BSSC's goal circle.
A swift turnover from Semmens moved the ball quickly down the court for the final goal of the day which gave CMC a one-goal lead with only three seconds left on the clock, final scores 20-19.
CMC coach Anthea McEniry said her team put on an impressive performance.
"It was a brilliant result from a team that never gave up," McEniry said.
"The girls had to dig deep and turnaround a five-goal deficit to take out the match.
"The professionalism, athleticism, camaraderie and respect of these young ladies is a credit to each and everyone of them. I am so proud that as a coach I get to work with these girls."
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