Bluey
11-06-2009, 07:12 PM
Plenty Magic ends Melbourne Vixens unbeaten run. Melbourne Vixens suffered their first defeat for the season against Waikato/Bay Of Plenty Magic in Tauranga.
But it was a loss coach Julie Hoornweg predicted could be the making of her team.
In their first trip across the Tasman this season, the Vixens went down 55-48 in their top-of-the-ladder clash to end a run of eight consecutive wins.
The Vixens could not match the firepower of the Magic, with their goalers Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia converting at more than 90 per cent.
Van Dyk, who did not miss a goal until the final quarter, shot 35 goals from 36 attempts at 97 per cent, while Tutaia had 20 goals at 91 per cent.
For the Vixens, Caitlin Thwaites finished with 32 goals at 89 per cent and co-captain Sharelle McMahon had 16 goals at 73 per cent.
While McMahon's shooting stats were down, she waged an enthralling battle with star defender Casey Williams throughout the game.
Hoornweg acknowledged it was the Magic shooters that proved the difference.
"They had amazing shooting stats. Every time it went down there, they were able to convert, so we had limited opportunities to turn it over," Hoornweg said.
"We prepared as well as we could for any other game . . . they all chimed in at different times, but we just didn't have enough performing at their best at the same time."
Hoornweg said how the Vixens reacted to the loss would be telling.
"We have to now pull together as a team," she said.
"It's all very well being on the top of the ladder and undefeated, but we'll see the character of these kids now.
"They've got to knuckle down now and they've got to work hard.
"This could be the making of us. We'll step up and learn from what happened out on the court . . . this could be a big step for us to go forward on."
With goalkeeper and co-captain Bianca Chatfield back after missing last week's win over the Queensland Firebirds, the Vixens began with their regular starting line-up.
It was an even opening half, with the Vixens trailing the Magic by three goals at the main break before the home side started to pull away late in the third quarter.
Hoornweg made several changes to her team's mid-court throughout the match in a bid to find some spark, but the Magic had the answers.
The Vixens were able to claw back after the Magic extended their lead to 11 goals mid-way through the final quarter, but were unable to conjure another stunning fightback after getting out of jail against the New South Wales Swifts and Firebirds in the past two weeks.
The Vixens have the next two games on the road against the Swifts in Sydney next week before returning to New Zealand to play the Mystics.
:)
But it was a loss coach Julie Hoornweg predicted could be the making of her team.
In their first trip across the Tasman this season, the Vixens went down 55-48 in their top-of-the-ladder clash to end a run of eight consecutive wins.
The Vixens could not match the firepower of the Magic, with their goalers Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia converting at more than 90 per cent.
Van Dyk, who did not miss a goal until the final quarter, shot 35 goals from 36 attempts at 97 per cent, while Tutaia had 20 goals at 91 per cent.
For the Vixens, Caitlin Thwaites finished with 32 goals at 89 per cent and co-captain Sharelle McMahon had 16 goals at 73 per cent.
While McMahon's shooting stats were down, she waged an enthralling battle with star defender Casey Williams throughout the game.
Hoornweg acknowledged it was the Magic shooters that proved the difference.
"They had amazing shooting stats. Every time it went down there, they were able to convert, so we had limited opportunities to turn it over," Hoornweg said.
"We prepared as well as we could for any other game . . . they all chimed in at different times, but we just didn't have enough performing at their best at the same time."
Hoornweg said how the Vixens reacted to the loss would be telling.
"We have to now pull together as a team," she said.
"It's all very well being on the top of the ladder and undefeated, but we'll see the character of these kids now.
"They've got to knuckle down now and they've got to work hard.
"This could be the making of us. We'll step up and learn from what happened out on the court . . . this could be a big step for us to go forward on."
With goalkeeper and co-captain Bianca Chatfield back after missing last week's win over the Queensland Firebirds, the Vixens began with their regular starting line-up.
It was an even opening half, with the Vixens trailing the Magic by three goals at the main break before the home side started to pull away late in the third quarter.
Hoornweg made several changes to her team's mid-court throughout the match in a bid to find some spark, but the Magic had the answers.
The Vixens were able to claw back after the Magic extended their lead to 11 goals mid-way through the final quarter, but were unable to conjure another stunning fightback after getting out of jail against the New South Wales Swifts and Firebirds in the past two weeks.
The Vixens have the next two games on the road against the Swifts in Sydney next week before returning to New Zealand to play the Mystics.
:)