Drew's News

Author: Michael Mcnamara

  • Drew’s cruise to Rosebowl trophy with a convincing 6-0 victory over Women’s

    Drew’s cruise to Rosebowl trophy with a convincing 6-0 victory over Women’s

    Riding high on the momentum of a do-or-die victory over St John’s College on Friday night, the St Andrew’s College women’s soccer team delivered a performance for the ages as they stormed to the Rosebowl championship with a dominant 6-0 victory over the Women’s College in the final. 

    For a long time, it looked like the final might not even happen as five days of relentless rain forced the continued postponement of the title match. However, once the sun began to shine down on University Oval No. 2, Drew’s hit the field with a vengeance, keen to make up for lost time.  

    From the opening whistle, St Andrew’s didn’t allow the Women’s team a single moment of respite. They engaged in a one-sided battle, relentlessly pressuring their opponents. The breakthrough came once again from the formidable Shivani Metha, who, fresh off a stunning hat-trick in the previous game, unleashed a thunderous long-range strike to put Drew’s into the lead. 

    Despite the efforts of the Women’s defence, Drew’s continued to torment with sensational crosses from Olivia Kearney and Kara Selvarajah. These pinpoint deliveries gave Mikhaela Lirantzis not one, but two silky finishes, leaving the Women’s defenders and goalkeeper in a vulnerable position. With a commanding score of 3-0 early in the game, the Drew’s girls showed no mercy. The Drew’s masterclass continued, culminating in a flawless half as Kearney netted a goal, firmly establishing Drew’s with a convincing 4-0 lead at halftime.

    Drew’s Student Photography – Ashley Ann Hodges & Claudia Logan

    As the Women’s team found themselves on the back foot, more drama unfolded when their goalkeeper, Sophia Buys, went down in a collision with Drew’s striker Kearney. This forced Poppy Lambourne to take the gloves, and she rose to the challenge admirably, repelling multiple attempts from Drew’s. However, the relentless pressure, orchestrated in the midfield by Gemima Davies, with her incredible footwork and control, proved too much to handle, leading Mairi Menzies to drive it into the back of the net.

    The Drew’s backline defence saw little of the ball but proved impenetrable, effectively shutting down any attempt by Women’s to mount a counterattack. This provided a platform for Drew’s attackers to dismantle, and this coordination of attacks forced Women’s to chase shadows. To seal the victory, Metha, with her signature long-range boot, fired the ball into the net to secure a 6-0 lead.

    It was a perfect match from start to finish and as the final whistle blew, the scoreboard painted a vivid picture of the girls’ dominant display. While it will go down in the record books as one of the more lopsided finals in Rosebowl history, the books alone cannot do justice to the strength of the team’s performance. It was a performance for the ages, and one that those in the stadium will struggle to forget. 

  • Androvians fall at the final hurdle after emotional Rawson performance

    Androvians fall at the final hurdle after emotional Rawson performance

    In an exhilarating showdown filled with electrifying moments and plenty of heart, the St Andrew’s soccer team fell just short in their Rawson Cup clash against St Pauls, trailing 2-0 at the final whistle.

    The match was characterised by unwavering intensity and determination, ensnaring the attention of the jam-packed stadium, a clashing sea of blue and maroon. As the game unfolded, anticipation surged through fans from both sides, their collective breath held in suspense. In a rivalry characterised by passion, intensity and emotion, each spectator understood that the outcome of this fierce contest was destined to become an indelible chapter in the annals of their college’s storied sporting history.

    From the outset, St Paul’s displayed dominance, creating numerous opportunities and applying early pressure to the St Andrew’s backline. Despite their efforts, Paul’s struggled to break through the formidable defence anchored by the two centre-backs, Harrison Podmore-Taylor and Duncan Eddy-Soros. 

    Following the offensive onslaught of the first 15 minutes, Edward Stevenson’s exceptional performance in the mid-field shifted the momentum in favour of the blue and white, but Drews’ attempts to counterattack were ultimately unsuccessful. 

    As both teams failed to capitalise on their chances, the scoreboard remained unchanged, locked at 0 – 0 going into halftime.

    Drew’s Student Photography – Ashley Ann Hodges and Claudia Logan

    The commotion truly began in the second half. An early controversial penalty decision turned the game on its head. What appeared to be a feather brushing past the right shoulder of the Paul’s attacker within the box, was interpreted as a right hook haymaker in the eyes of the referee, granting a penalty kick from an almost unmissable position. 

    Despite an impressive save attempt by Bray Downing, the St Paul’s striker maintained composure and converted the penalty, putting Paul’s ahead 1-0.

    With their backs against the wall, Drew’s believed that victory was still within reach. 

    However, despite the heart shown, St Paul’s had done their homework and effectively neutralised Drew’s star weapon, Matt Whaby who unfortunately failed to find the back of the net, as Paul’s marked him 3 to 1. 

    Tension built, and the stage was set for another legendary Rawson soccer final finish. However, the momentum swung yet again as the Androvians received a staggering five yellow cards, expeditiously increasing the odds against them. 

    Fatigue set in, the disadvantageous penalty count mounted, and a determined St Paul’s side eventually broke through once more, with a silk touch from one of Paul’s leading performers, Sam Andrews, extending their lead to 2-0. 

    As time ticked away, Drew’s were faced with an increasingly insurmountable challenge. A sombre atmosphere enveloped the Androvians when it became clear that victory was beyond reach, but the spectators’ graciousness in defeat typified what it means to be an Androvian. For the Drew’s community, time cannot move fast enough for the Rawson basketball to begin, in which the two-time defending champion Drew’s men will start as heavy favourite.