Cairns Hockey: Teen grand final hero behind Souths successful start to title defence
Souths captain Caitlyn Whipp believes another strong performance from teenage goalkeeper Layla Parker can spur the side to victory in Saturday night’s Cairns Hockey Association A-grade women’s clash with Trinity Stingers.
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Souths captain Caitlyn Whipp believes another strong performance from teenage goalkeeper Layla Parker can spur the side to victory in Saturday night’s Cairns Hockey Association A-grade women’s clash with Trinity Stingers.
Parker is the form shot-stopper across both the women’s and men’s A-grade competitions, having conceded just two goals in 180 minutes of game time.
The 17-year-old will need to be at her best against a potent Stingers outfit, who are coming off a dominant 4-0 win over Brothers, tonight.
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“She’s been amazing for us,” Whipp said.
“She’s so reliable and we put so much trust in her that she will have our backs and make a save, especially at crucial times. She always steps up for big games.”
In 2017, when she was just 14, Parker was Souths’ grand final hero when she made three critical saves in what was her first penalty shootout to secure the premiership.
“She’s become one of our senior players at the ripe old age of 17,” Whipp said.
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“She’s definitely stepped up to take that on and be encouraging and help the team out.”
Whipp said she was expecting a tough game against last year’s grand final rivals, who they beat 3-0 in the decider.
“Now that we’re back to playing halves instead of quarters, it’s definitely going to be a matter of fitness,” she said.
“It will come down to who is the fitter team and who can play the better standard of hockey for longer.”
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A-GRADE DRAW
Round 4 — Saturday, August 1, at Cairns Hockey Fields
■ Men’s games
6.30pm: Brothers v Saints on Rainforest Turf.
8pm: Stingers v Souths on Reef Turf.
■ Women’s games
6.30pm: Stingers v Souths on Reef Turf.
8pm: Brothers v Saints on Rainforest Turf.
Originally published as Cairns Hockey: Teen grand final hero behind Souths successful start to title defence