Women’s Division de Honor: Top four at each others heels

The Ninth Matchday of the Spanish Women’s Division de Honor was typically exciting as the battles across the table are really springing to life. At the top, both Mataro and Sabadell have still won all their games (9 out of 9) with wins over Boadilla and Rubi respectively. In the race for top four, Mediterrani held off a strong challenge from Andreu, while Terrassa secured a big win over Catalunya. At the bottom of the league, Barceloneta finally have their first win as they defeated the so-far pointless Concepcion. Zaragoza couldn’t keep a four goal lead as they are leapfrogged by Sant Feliu – who beat them by 9 goals to 8.

CN Catalunya 12-17 CN Terrassa (4-3, 1-5, 1-4, 6-5)

Catalunya: M. Terre, A. Ruiz 1, R. Schuijt 1, M. Van Rijn 2, B. Pascual 2, M. Sagrera, N. Begona 1, L. Escoda 1, N. Vidondo, S. Diaz 2, L. Sanchez, C. Diaz 2

Terrassa: S. Domene, D. Quinzada, J. Panicello 2, B. Ortiz 3, C. Cantero 1, M. Cardona, N. Ten Broek, P. Pena 3, N. Cuenda 3, P. Camus 2, O. Domenech 1, P. Leiton Arrones 2

A sharp and incisive attacking display in the middle two periods gave Terrassa the three points away at Catalunya as there were hat-tricks from Beatriz Ortiz, Pili Pena and Noelia Cuenda Morillo for Terrassa. Catalunya were competitive at first, and grew back into the game later on, but the damage had already been done as they lost the middle two sectors by an unassailable 9 goals to 2.

The display encapsulates Catalunya’s season so far; at one moment being able to compete very well, but at any moment having the capability to really have an off day. They sit in 6th with 9 points from 8 games. The face bottom of the league, Concepcion, next week.

Terrassa, however, still keep pace with the top two. They have 21 points from a possible 27 after 9 games, and look good for a European place again next season. Xavi Perez’s side will have a tough assignment next week though, as they face Sant Andreu.

CE Mediterrani 10-8 CN Sant Andreu (3-2, 3-2, 4-3, 0-1)

Mediterrani: N. Trojan, A. Munoz 1, M. Viladot, I. Wolves 3, C. Vilanova, C. Rodriguez, C. Espar 2, A. Marcos, A. Grossman, H. Dalmases 1, P. Crespi, S. Puanani Lizotte 2, D. Willemsz

Sant Andreu: A. Lorca, H. Ballesty, N. Mora 1, M. Van der Weijden 1, G. La Farre, H. Shabb 2, M. Cordobes, D. Mammolito 2, R. Prieto, M. Ungria, M. Palacio, A. Ruiz Barril 2, M. Terre

Mediterrani held off a spirited Sant Andreu to secure a 10-8 win, and remain in 4th in the league. Maria Angeles Diaz can thank her most consistent performers, Iris Wolves (3), Clara Espar (2) and Sarah Puanani (2), for many of their goals. The victory over Andreu is significant, given their recent form in climbing up the league table. Ruiz Barril and Mammolito netted braces for the away side.

Javier Aznar will be disappointed with his side not to have perhaps earned a point from this game, as the gap between them and a Euro League position now stretches to 6 points. Its a sizeable gap to close, but they’ll be right on the heels of the top 4 if they can beat Terrassa (who are 3rd) next weekend.

Astralpool Sabadell 26-6 CN Rubi (5-0, 7-2, 9-2, 5-2)

Sabadell: L. Ester, M. Ortiz 1, B. Games 3, M. Bonet 2, M. Serrano, M. Steffens 6, I. Casado 1, M. Garcia Godoy 2, J. Forca Ariza 5, M. Keuning 3, N. Perez 2, I. Gonzalez 1, P. Carilla

Rubi: E. Jimenez, A. Roldan 1, I. Abril, L. Rion, M. Manchego 2, C. Abellan, E. Ruiz Barril, A. Rodriguez, E. Vesperinas 2, J. Prados, L. Soriano, A. Trivino

Sabadell made light work of the visiting Rubi with a commanding 26-6 victory at Can Llong. David Palma’s side dashed to a 5-0 lead after quarter one, and found themselves 13-2 up at half-time. Fourteen more goals in the second half sealed the game and goes a long way in helping Sabadell with their goal difference (+88). Maggie Steffens scored 6 in the game – which is her best tally in a single game since returning to the club earlier this year. Judith Forca netted 5, while the Dutch duo Maartje Keuning and Brigitta Games both secured hat-tricks. The other Dutch international, Sabrina Van der Sloot, did not play.

This defeat, although not unexpected, was fairly hefty for Manel Llobregat and his Rubi side – who have lost 7 games this season. They’ll be looking to bounce back against Zaragoza next Saturday at Can Roses.

Natacion Boadilla 8-26 CN Mataro (4-8, 0-6, 3-7, 1-5)

Boadilla: M. Gutierrez, E. Ruano, E. Portillo, L. Campos, M. Jaimez, S. Duenas 1, E. De La Cruz 1, M. De Quinta 1, C. Hagen 1, M. Ramos 2, G. Gallinato 1, P. Moreno

Mataro: M. Sanchez, S. Morell 1, S. Van der Kraats 3, A. Gual, V. Sevenich 4, A. Timofeeva 3, C. Cambray 1, C. Nogue 1, M. Bach 1, Q. Bertran 2, A. Espar 6, B. Markoch 4, B. Colominas

Mataro made no mistakes on their visit to the capital as they overcame Boadilla with relative comfort. The hosts were lively and spirited throughout, but the gulf in quality was stark at the M-86 Piscina. In amongst the goals for Dani Ballart’s side was Anni Espar (6), Vivian Sevenich (4), Bella Markoch (4), Simone Van der Kraats (3) and Anna Timofeeva (3).

The win was not really in doubt, but now Mataro will really have to work in their next game as they face title rivals, Sabadell. They face-off in Game week 10 on the 15th December. Boadilla are back at M86 with a tough assignment against Mediterrani on the same day.

ESC Zaragoza 8-9 CN Sant Feliu (3-1, 2-4, 0-3, 3-1)

Zaragoza: I. Bello, A. Sarinena, M. Ciudad 3, I. Rosales, S. Lorente 1, N. Coloman, N. Naya, A. Chicote 1, R. Corao, S. Perez, L. Gomez 1, J. Tazueco 2, S. Ballesta

Feliu: I. Costa, J. Soler, M. Bargallo 1, M. Bernabe, B. Goset 4, L. Roca Herrera 1, R. Maldonado, C. Moreno 2, P. Abellan, U. Del Sol, D. Moreno, M. Gomez 1, I. Turegano

Having trailed for much of the game, Sant Feliu came from behind to secure a vital three points against Zaragoza. At the Bomberos, the home side managed to create a 5-1 advantage with goals from Lorente, Chicote, Gomez, Tazueco (2). But a second quarter hat-trick from Blanca Goset, mixed with a Mireria Gomez conversion on the man-up tied the game at half-time. Then, Feliu took the advantage with a double score from Claudia Moreno and a extra-player conversion through Roca Herrrera.

At 8-5 going into the last, the game looked in Feliu’s hands, and despite a spirited attempt from Zaragoza, a Mireia Bargallo goal with a minute from time sealed the points. Sant Feliu are now up to 8th and face Barceloneta next week. Zaragoza, who are 10th, take on Rubi next.

CN Atletic Barceloneta 20-9 AR Concepcion (6-3, 4-1, 4-1, 6-4)

Barceloneta: A. Farre, A. Garcia 3, N. Martin 2, C. Martin Buscarons 2, N. Josifovic 2, L. Terol 1, A. Pastor, N. Mandic 3, B. Seto 2, J. Altisen, S. Garcia 4, M. Madre Forte 1, P. Rutgers

Concepcion: L. Cruz, A. Moreno, I. San Pedro 1, R. Clemente, P. Sanchez Ocon 1, A. Morales, E. Garcia 2, P. Suarez 1, C. Puente 1, A. Mira 1, R. Rodriguez Pinto 2, M. Peragon, L. Garcia

Barceloneta finally have their first win of the season as the Sailors were well-worth the victory over the difficultly positioned AR Concepcion. Barca were probably favourites for the win before the game, but given the way the previous 8 games had gone for them, it wouldn’t have been beyond the possibility to lose to the travelling side from Madrid.

Sandra Garcia Pena converted four times, while Antana Garcia and Nada Mandic both bagged hat-tricks. Elena Garcia and Rebeca Rodriguez Pinto both got on the scoresheet twice for Concepcion.

Eduardo Carranza must surely know that relegation beckons for his Concepcion side  – who are without a single point from their first 8 games. But for a dramatic turn-around, there is a strong chance that the side from South-East Madrid will not register a single point before the seasons end.

Standings

1. CN Mataro – 9 – 27pts
2. Astralpool Sabadell – 9 – 27pts
3. CN Terrassa – 9 – 21pts
4. CE Mediterrani – 9 – 21pts
5. CN Sant Andreu – 8 – 15pts
6. CN Catalunya – 8 – 9pts
7. CN Rubi – 7 – 9pts
8. CN Sant Feliu – 9 – 9pts
9. Natacion Boadilla – 10 – 7pts
10. ESC Zaragoza – 9 – 5pts
11. CN Atletic Barceloneta – 9 – 4pts
12. AR Concepcion – 8 – 0pts