Second half surge pushes Steel to big win over Mystics
Far from home and on the back of a storming second half, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel pulled off a statement win when toppling the GoSweetSpot Northern Mystics 57-46 in Auckland on Sunday.
With both teams coming off strong second-round wins, this promised to be a competitive match-up and so it proved before the Steel exploded in the second half to take a firm grip on proceedings.
With the teams unable to be separated during a close and tightly contested first two quarters, the Steel made their move in the third to grab the initiative while ramming home their advantage in the fourth to record a comprehensive result.
Playing at home for the first time this season and getting some of their injured players back, the Mystics couldn’t halt the rampant Steel, who prevailed 16-10 and 15-10 in the second half quarters.
The home side were unable to stem the contribution of key Steel figures, shooter Aliyah Dunn, who delivered a perfect 47 from 47 return, midcourter Kimiora Poi and defender Carys Stythe who were instrumental in notching a rare win in Auckland.
The teams produced an action-packed and lively opening quarter with play swinging back and forth, the Steel gaining the slightest of edges before the Mystics surged back to compete on level terms.
Respective goalkeepers, Catherine Hall for the Mystics, and her opposite Stythe, kept their opposing shooters honest while the home side took time to negotiate the Steel’s effective full-court defensive press.
With the scores all locked up Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson moved from wing defence to centre with the rangy figure of Charlotte Manley coming off the bench and onto the wing.
The impasse remained with a goal-for-goal stand-off heading to the first break, both teams having 13 attempts and unable to be separated with the scores tied at 12-apiece.
The Mystics gained the lead for the first time on the resumption but it was short-lived, the game continuing at a fast pace, the lead changing hands several times before the Steel settled into a two-goal buffer for much of the stanza.
Respective shooters, the Mystics Maia Wilson, playing her 150th national league match, and her opposite Dunn were pictures of poise, accuracy and positioning while delivering 100 percent records through the first half.
Long-serving Mystics midcourter Tayla Earle was injected at centre midway through the quarter for her first game-time this year after coming back from injury while the Steel thrust Australian injury replacement Molly Watson into the action at goal defence.
Two-point specialist Filda Vui got the Mystics back on level terms with the only double-pointer of the half, demonstrating the even contest when the teams remained locked at 26-all at the main break.
With a noticeable lift in intensity, it was the relentless attacking and defensive work of the Steel that allowed for a big shift in proceedings.
Captain Poi was at her influential best through the midcourt, picking up a run of rare turnovers at the defensive end while working in tandem with rising young fellow attacker Serina Daunakama to regularly get the ball into the safe hands of Dunn.
The cool, calm and collected Dunn was in unstoppable form under the hoop while the combined efforts at both ends of the court gave the Steel the upper hand as they inched into a handy lead.
Returning from the injured list, Katie Te Ao replaced Earle at centre and had her moments but the Mystics attack line was generally well-contained by the Steel. Stythe continued her strong form to keep the Mystics shooters under wraps while goal attack Georgia Heffernan was a work horse outside the circle as well as providing good nuisance value on defence.
Retaining their composure, it was the Steel who had all the momentum when taking a handy 42-36 lead at the last break.