Bermuda 3 Big Apple Hockey Federation 4

Bermuda suffered defeat in an entertaining contest against visiting Big Apple Hockey Federation at the Flora Duffy Stadium last night.

The hosts led 2-0 at half-time on goals from Mallory Towlson and Elizabeth Stewart.

However, the visitors hit back with four goals to surge into a commanding 4-2 lead before Bermuda’s Georgia Harris pulled one back in the closing stages.

New York-based Big Apple dominated the early exchanges but fell behind against the run of play when Bermuda forward Towlson converted from a goal line scramble in the eighth minute of the second period.

Centre midfielder Stewart then pounced on a rebound from a penalty corner to double the host’s advantage.

“Big Apple tried to apply full pressure from the start of the game, which caught us off guard,” said Bermuda head coach Kovin Moodley.

“We managed to navigate through the pressure and knew the game would settle. Once the nerves had settled and we were able to play to our game and our tempo, we started to establish control.

“We started getting into the goalscoring area more and managed to scored two goals.”

Bermuda struggled to adjust to a change in formation and tactics after the break which their opponents exploited to ultimately put the match beyond reach.

“In the second half, we felt the pressure from Big Apple again as we took some time to adjust to the new formation and tactics,” Moodley added. “We need to challenge ourselves and try new things in these games to test ourselves in competition.

“Unfortunately, we conceded four goals in the second half which prevented us from establishing the control we felt in the first half.”

Moodley is proud of his players despite having lost the first of three matches between the two teams in as many days.

“I’m proud of the ladies and their fight right until the end,” he added. “We look forward to two more games and more of the squad getting a chance to play over the next two days.

“We would love to see supporters coming out. Entrance is free.”

Bermuda is using The Bermuda Onions v Big Apple Tournament as a warm-up for this summer’s Central American and Caribbean Games, which will be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.