A last-quarter surge has kept Souths top of the table with a 4-1 win over Erina-Avoca Beach in the Newcastle Women's Premier Hockey League on Saturday.
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Souths led early at Wyong with a maiden top-grade goal from Zahra Garry but Erina-Avoca Beach equalised before three-quarter time.
Kiahni Abell, Neva Williams and Tayla Hull, who finished with a clever dink over the keeper, then scored in the last term to keep the Lions in top spot after 16 rounds. Coach Tony Duck was proud of the effort, especially given Souths had no substitutes.
Already depleted because of illness and injury, Souths lost keeper Mackenzi Harvey on game eve because of pending Australian All Schools representative duties. Striker Kaitlin Duck took over in goals.
"It was 1-all into the last quarter but our girls didn't want to stop there," the coach said. "They went for the jugular and really ran out of their skins for the last quarter. They were depleted as well, but I'm really happy with that win. It was against the odds down at their ground."
Duck said Cassidy Gallagher and Caitlin Logan were standouts third-placed Erina-Avoca Beach.
Also at Wyong, Central beat The Entrance 3-0 and Gosford upset Regals.
The men's Hunter Coast Premier League rested while Newcastle International Hockey Centre hosted the Australian All Schools under-16 titles.
