MOST women’s Premier League Hockey players would have jumped at the chance to be a part of the blockbuster squad Ex-Services has put together for 2015 - not Rachel Pengilly.
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After deferring her forensic science degree for a year, the former Ex-Services stalwart made the decision to defect to Confederates in a bid to help the struggling club, and she makes her debut today in her side’s round one trip to Dubbo to take on the Blue Jays.
“They have always asked me to come and play with them, so I thought being my last year in Orange I might as well have a crack,” Pengilly said.
“It was a pretty tough decision, I put a lot of thought into it and (while) Ex-Services will be exciting this year, they have a big squad anyway.
“Confederates are getting stronger every year, and they have a really good junior base so in a few years they’ll be strong.
“If I can help out whenever I can, good. I think I’ll be slotting in as a defender, so I’m hoping to just help us get a few wins this season.”
After finishing last in 2014, Pengilly said her side is desperate to wrestle itself off the bottom of the Premier League Hockey ladder, and the 18-year-old said today’s clash against the Blue Jays is a huge opportunity to start 2015 with a win.
“If we stick to the way we’ve been training, and how we played in the trial games we’re definitely a chance,” she said.
“I’m expecting (Dubbo to have) speed up front, they have some good attacking players.
“It’ll be a hard, fast game I think.”
Considering the Orange side starts its season with five consecutive road trips, Confederates coach Mark Pengilly - Rachel’s father - said a win in today’s clash is vital for his side with such a tough opening third of the season.
“With so many away games to start, it’s important we win this one first up,” he said.
“We are missing a couple of players, but we also have a few coming up. Obviously Rach makes her debut, but Tiff Davis is also coming into the squad full time, and I’m excited to see how Annabelle Tierney goes. She came across from Kinross-CYMS and should give us some punch up front.”
Confederates takes on the Blue Jays from 3pm, at Dubbo Hockey Centre.