- News release
Play-outs (D): wins for Hoofdklasse clubs HDM and Oranje-Rood
The ladies of HDM and Oranje-Rood have taken the first step in the battle for retention in the Hoofdklasse. Both Hoofdklasse sides won their first match in the best-of-two against a promotion rival on Saturday. HDM was narrowly too strong for Ring Pass (1-0) and Oranje-Rood proved too big for Nijmegen in Eindhoven: 3-1.
HDM got off to a much better start than Ring Pass. The promoted team had a tough time in the early stages when the home team went on the hunt for a quick opening goal. That did not come until the second quarter. A penalty corner by Kaat Walhof gave HDM the lead. Moments later, the home team was close to a second goal, but Yara Akkerman saw her effort hit the crossbar.
After half-time, Ring Pass came out better. The visitors had chances to equalise, but were thwarted by goalkeeper Julia Remmerswaal. She intervened in a breakaway by Ring Pass. And when Remmerswaal was beaten, another teammate was ready to clear the ball from the goal line.
In the closing stages, HDM regained the initiative without increasing the score. There was still some discussion when Ring Pass line stop Amber Gorter cleared a penalty corner off the line. While the home crowd saw a foot and asked for a penalty stroke, the referee ruled that Gorter had cleared the ball with her stick. As a result, it remained 1-0 in The Hague. With that narrow lead, HDM travels to Sunday's return against Ring Pass, which can draw confidence from the strong third quarter in which it put the home team under considerable pressure.
Oranje-Rood takes margin
Oranje-Rood took an important step towards maintaining their position in the Hoofdklasse with a 3-1 win over Nijmegen. Just after Isaline Kroon thought to have given the visitors the lead from a penalty corner - the goal was disallowed as the ball went over the board into the goal - the home team struck. Merel Voermans gave the final touch after a fluent attack down the right flank.
After Meike van Alken had aimed wide with a hard shot for the visitors, Nijmegen was awarded a penalty stroke after Bente Peters was floored in the circle after a long solo. Emma Sophie Hessler controlled her nerves and took the penalty stroke: 1-1. The score did not stay on the board for long. Almost immediately afterwards Lynn Vasterink put Oranje-Rood ahead again by sliding in a penalty corner variation by Amber Brouwer.
After half-time, captain Vivienne Peters failed to make it 3-1 when her effort hit goalkeeper Nathalie Kubalski's legguards. The third goal fell after all. Again Vasterink was prolific. This time she tipped in a cross from Charlotte Schrijvers from an awkward angle.
Oranje-Rood then had chances to extend the margin further. However, a penalty stroke by Thirsa Kho was turned away by Kubalski and Schrijvers also missed an opportunity to make it 4-1. With the 3-1 victory, Oranje-Rood has excellent prospects of playing at the highest level next season. Nijmegen will have a tough task in the return match to make up the lost ground.
