Sosha Benninga breaks the spell: first goals at De Klapperboom

Benninga quickly put her team on the right track with two early goals. Just before half-time, she also made it 3-0 and her second ever hat-trick in the Tulp Hoofdklasse was a fact.

Benninga's goals came with another nice statistic, as they were her first goals ever on her own pitch. Since her move from Amsterdam to Kampong in the summer of 2023, Benninga scored 16 times for the Utrecht club, but remarkably those goals all fell in away games.

Sosha, you had to wait a long time for your first goal in front of your own public. Are you relieved?
Yes, somewhere. By now, quite a few people knew I had never scored on the Klapperboom. People talked to me about it too, in a light-hearted way. I thought it was a funny statistic, but it didn't keep me awake for a second.'

What did you think: I'll make three right away, then we'll get rid of the whining?
'Haha, it was really cool to make three. Everyone was really happy for me too. But it would be inappropriate to put myself in the limelight now. My teammates put me in fantastic position. All of them were team goals where I was the finishing touch. Many goals against Tilburg were a copy of what we practised at training last week. That gives a lovely feeling.'

Why did you succeed on Sunday what didn't work in all those previous home games: scoring goals?
'I have no explanation. I did not play differently against Tilburg than in other matches. But I have been playing with a new stick since last week. [Laughs] Maybe it was because of that.'

It was noticeable that all goals against Tilburg were celebrated very exuberantly.
'Everyone is very happy for each other, we grant each other everything. I may have scored three, but Bente [van der Veldt] also scored two and Luna [Fokke] and Guusje [Moes] both scored aswell. Everyone has their own specific qualities and that translates into a lot of scoring power, among other things'.

You only lost points against Pinoké (1-1) in the five games after the winter break. How is the feeling towards the final phase of the league?
'We are already looking forward to the next game. Next week we play Den Bosch, then we get Amsterdam. We're not going to play with our heels up, but we want to attack. That's what Kai [de Jager, coach] taught us. Don't be afraid, but go for your chances and try to make the game.'

You are fifth, two points off number four Amsterdam and four points off Pinoké, which is third. That will be a blistering final sprint.
'It will be incredibly exciting in the coming weeks. I consider it likely that the decision on tickets for the play-offs will not be made until the last round. It will be tough and difficult, so we must not slacken for a moment. We are ready to fight.'