Gouda ladies win an entertaining match against Polar Bears
Last night, the Eredivisie match between Polar Bears and GZC Donk took place in Ede. It ended 15-19 at Zwembad de Peppel for the team led by coach Erik Brugue. The match can be viewed via this livestream. The match photos are available on the KNZB image bank.
In the top match, officiated by Johan de Boer and Sander Gransjean, Sabrina van der Sloot scored five times for Donk, while the other Gouda goal scorers were Vivian Sevenich (3), Brigitte Sleeking, Saskia Vos, Marit van der Weijden (all 2), Anouk Bergsma, Maartje Keuning, Gaby van Dijk, Sabine Bergsma, and Anouk Vermeulen (all 1). For Polar Bears, with interim coach John Scherrenburg on the bench as a successor to the departed Petros Doudesis, Renée de Kleer, Nina van de Geijn (both 4), Storm Willemsen (3), Aniek Roekevisch, and Fleurien Bosveld (both 2) scored.
Bosveld opened the scoring in the first period after about two minutes, followed by Van de Geijn doubling the lead. Sleeking and Van der Sloot leveled the score in the entertaining match. The Polar Bears took the lead twice, including a great goal by De Kleer (4-3). Donk then started strong in the second period with quick goals from Van der Weijden and Vos (4-5). The visitors allowed Polar Bears to equalize before maintaining a safe lead for the rest of the match. At the end of the third period, Donk extended their lead to five goals and sealed the game.
Erik Brugue reflected on the successful evening. ''It was a very beautiful match with good actions from both teams. I enjoyed it a lot. We were better yesterday in a few details and that's why we could win. I am very happy with how my players played as a team. They showed joy, which is the most important thing for me. Additionally, I want to congratulate Polar Bears on how well they compete in the Champions League and also on their performance yesterday; they are a good team.''
Scherrenburg on the match against the strong and experienced opponent. ''After the hectic week, it was still a decent performance from our side. We were okay offensively, but defensively not so much; their center forward had too much space, and we let their best shooters take too many shots. Despite having several Olympic ladies in the water, conceding 19 goals is too much.''
With this win, Donk is tied for first place with UZSC after four league matches, with a lower goal difference. For the Polar Bears, it was their first defeat in three matches, placing them fourth with six points.
Next Saturday, Donk will visit De Zaan in the cup. On Wednesday, December 11, the teams will face each other again, this time for the league match in Zaandam. Polar Bears will play their home match against UZSC next Tuesday. The Polar Bears have played one fewer match than the Utrecht ladies. With a win in Ede and in the catch-up match, they can reach the same points total.
