Scorpions sting Titans in hockey contest

HOCKEY ORANGE VS KU
 Kenyatta University Edith Bunyasi when they played women League at City park. Orange scored 10-0. PHOTO; JENIPHER WACHIE

Strathmore University’s Scorpions laboured before they defeated Kenyatta University 1-0 in a national women’s league match at City Park Stadium yesterday.

A first half strike from Strathmore’s forward Gilly Okumu settled the match, which was characterised by lackluster displays from both sides.

Strathmore’s coach Meshack Senge was not a pleased man following his team’s wanting performance, and he accused his players of being too comfortable and to casual.

“I was disappointed by what I saw on the pitch today. That performance was shambolic and not up to the standards we are usually familiar with. This is a game we should have won by a wider margin, but what I saw on the pitch, is shocking and totally unacceptable,” an agitated Senge said.

Senge handed starts to several rookies with up to five first team players absent as the team struggled to get hold of the game. Both teams were happy to sit back in the opening stages of the game. The game’s first chance came in the 20th minute when Denise Odongo was fed by Yvonne Karanja, but her shot was easily saved by KU’s goalkeeper Selline Ouma.

Laura Gichau and Karanja were the only outstanding players for Strathmore and it was no surprise that the two combined to create their team’s goal. Gichau did well to wrestle possession in midfield before releasing Karanja down the right.

The pacy winger beat two KU defenders before she set up a brilliant cross for Okumu, who finished off with finesse for her second goal this season. The goal sprung KU to action and they pulled more bodies forward in search of the equaliser.

They were presented with a golden opportunity to get matters level when Strathmore’s defender Angie Mayaka’s error in her own circle gifted KU’s Rahab Nyathe with the ball, but with only the goalkeeper to beat, Nyathe squandered the chance as she fired wide to the disbelief of her teammates.

Strathmore failed to utilise their only penalty corner of the half as Winnie Ingati shot wide moments before halftime.