28 August 2007 By Verena Stocker
Joanne Whitehorn led the scoring as Sydney University Women’s Water Polo took out the Sydney First Grade Winter competition with a 9-6 win over UNSW, played at the Ryde pool at the weekend.
Whitehorn bagged five goals, while Melissa Hammond, Jessica and Amanda Cox and Alicia Brightwell all found the net once each.
Holly Hawtin was the only multiple scorer for UNSW, picking up two goals.
The performance demonstrated strong team work from a mixture of youth and experience, one of the benefits of the winter competition.
“Everyone played and had lots of time, so it was a good opportunity for the young players to get some senior experience” Hammond said.
“Because we had so many younger girls it was really important to work together as a team in defence.”
Starting in January, the summer competitions will see some of Sydney University’s finest water polo players in the National League, including Taniele Gofers, Fiona Hammond and Nikita Cuffe.
The three University students are waiting for the announcement of the Australian Women’s Water Polo Olympic squad later this week.
The squad will eventually form the team to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.