The 1st XI Hockey team travelled to Whangarei to compete in the Federation Cup during Tournament Week.

The first two days were pool play. They were good building blocks and learning opportunities which enabled us to finish second in our pool. 

Wednesday saw us play Palmerston North Girls High School in round of 16 crossover. With a 3-1 win, we secured a spot in top 8 and progressed through to the quarterfinals of the Federation Cup. Our goal scorers on the day were Georgie Leslie, Sophie White and Lula Buzaglo. 

Day 4 saw our biggest game of the tournament thus far as we faced St Cuthbert’s College, who were winners of the 2017 Aon Federation Cup. We were up for the challenge and the game was an absolute thriller, with us deadlocked at 2-2 at the end of regulation time, Lula Buzaglo scoring on both occasions for us. After extra time drop off there was no change in the score and we took down the 2017 champions 4-3 in a nail-biting shootout with Sara Cox standing strong in goal. The girls were ecstatic! No CGHS Hockey 1st XI team had ever won their quarter final before. 

With excitement levels high going into the semi final against Iona College, the girls pulled out another stellar performance and were unlucky not to convert more goals. Full time ended up 2-1 to Iona with Sophie Bowden our lone goal scorer. With hopes of a podium finish still in sight, we were raring to go in the local darby vs Villa Maria. Early on in the game we conceded a goal but that didn’t stop us! In typical CGHS fashion, we never gave up and kept fighting. With 15 minutes to go Rose Stephenson found the back of the net putting us back in the game. Both teams were hunting for the bronze medal until the final whistle but were unable to find a goal. For the second time that week we into into extra time again. After two rounds of closely contested drop offs we were heading into another shootout. Having won two shootouts before at home and in the quarter finals, we were confident going into it. Gracie Ansell stepped up first and got us off to a great start, followed by Sophie White and Georgie Leslie also converting. Sara Cox in goal pulled out some swish saves, helping us when we went into our last shootout, where we could win the game. After Lula Buzaglo was unlucky not to score when the Villa goalie made a good save, it was time for Grace Murphy to make her mark. On her 75th and last game for the 1st XI she sure made an impression, managing to put the ball in the back of the net and drive CGHS to it’s best finish in history at Federation Cup - 3rd place. 

Coaches Chris Leslie and Kate Trolove were stoked with the finish and couldn’t be more proud of the girls. The emotions were running high for Sophie White and Grace Murphy playing their last game in the red and blue dress leaving a great legacy.