Bonheiden, 22/10/2011: The field was ready and the nerves were getting the best of us. And with the whistle from the refs it finally began, the first match in the first Belgian Women’s Lacrosse Cup! The Buggenhout Bees teamed up with the Heist Hunters to form the Hunting Bees, the Ghent Gazelles had united with the Red Rhino Ladies to evolve to the Rhinelles.

At first girls were hesitant as to what to do, but the game got to a roaring start when after only 1min 40 Katherina Prochazka  (also known as Kathi) saw a clear path to the goal and scored for the Hunting Bees. The Rhinelles stepped up their game and took it to the other side, but after several attempts from both sides, the second goal was again scored by Kathi in the 9^th minute. The Rhinelles had had enough. With a thirst to prove what they were worth they stormed to attack and Lisa Mevenkamp scored their first goal. Hungry for more they saw a chance and with an assist from Séraphine Aelterman, the score was now tied. But the Bees weren’t about to take this lying down. Both sides were fighting and with almost 14 minutes in the game, Ellen Van Den Broek made a shot the goalie couldn’t save. 2-3 Hunting Bees. Not two minutes later, Séraphine leveled the playing field with the 3^rd goal for the Rhinelles. After three more goals by respectively Kathi, Lisa and Kathi, half time was called with a 4 to 5 score. Time to reboot and talk about strategies.

Everyone began the second half with new energy and new insights. 2 minutes after the signal was given, the Rhinelles had broken through the Bees’ defense and with an assist from Nathalie Smets, Séraphine scored the 5^th goal for the Rhinelles. The next ten minutes both teams fought their hardest, and with success. Shots to spare but not a single one successful  thanks to both goalies with some spectacular saves. The first breakthrough came from Irene Dell’orto. In the 43^rd minute her shot was rewarded with cheering and elevated spirits for the Rhinelles. 3 minutes later the same reward came for Lieze Pelemans as she scored her first goal of the match and brought it to a tie again.

With only 15 minutes left in the game and energy levels dropping, it was all about holding your own as a team. Then came a breakthrough for the Rhinelles as Lisa Mevenkamp and Maaike Leeman scored two goals in the same minute.  But this did not mean victory, there were still 11 minutes to play and the Bees looked like someone had stolen their honey. In the 52^nd minute Kathi scored the final goal for the Hunting Bees. Final score: Rhinelles 8- Hunting Bees 7.

Séraphine Aelterman

Rhinelles – Hunting Bees 8-7 (4-5, 4-2)

* Kathi Prochazka
* Kathi Prochazka
* Lisa Mevenkamp
* Lisa Mevenkamp (Séraphine Aelterman)
* Ellen Van Den Broek
* Séraphine Aelterman
* Kathi Prochazka
* Lisa Mevenkamp
* Kathi Prochazka
* Séraphine Aelterman (Nathalie Smets)
* Irene Dell’orto
* Lieze Pelemans
* Lisa Mevenkamp
* Maaike Leeman
* Kathi Prochazka

MVP: Ine Lippens
MVP other team: Liesbeth Allein