By Jonty Ralphsmith
Casey has bounced back from a surprise loss at the hands of Werribee last week with a 2-0 win over Knox.
After a flat-footed start, the Cannons stormed home in the second half, playing the brand of hockey which has seen them lock in a top-four finish.
They moved the ball quickly and took the game on at every opportunity, with their clean ball handling instrumental in giving them most of the running after a 0-0 first half.
The Cannons took their free hits early which exposed the Knox defence and gave them plenty of looks.
Emma Harris scored both of the goals, but Michaela Bullock, Mikayla McDonald and Jess Rowland were also potent in attack.
Each fired multiple shots on target, denied only by the strong Knox goalie who kept her team in the game.
It was 15-year-old centre-half Leandra McLauchlan who was most impressive for Casey, with her hardness at the ball denying Knox the ability to dictate play in the front half, while she was also speedy on counterattack.
The result has locked in third spot for Casey with a round to go, and they will face fourth-placed Monash University both in the final round of the home-and-away season, and the first week of finals.
The VicLeague finals structure sees first play second for a spot in the grand final, the loser playing in the preliminary final against the winner of third against fourth.
Casey’s men, meanwhile, suffered a 4-2 loss at the hands of Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation.
Casey Women
Results: Casey 2 v Knox 0, North West 0 v Monash University 2, Mornington Peninsula 2 v Brunswick 1, Werribee 2 v West Vic 4, Yarra Valley 2 v PEGS 0
Ladder: Mornington Peninsula 42, Yarra Valley 41, Casey 38, Monash University 32, West Vic 19, Knox 19, Brunswick 18, Werribee 17, PEGS 11, North West 10
Fixture: West Vic v Yarra Valley, Brunswick v North West, Knox v Werribee, Monash University v Casey, PEGS v Mornington Peninsula
Casey Men
Results: Melbourne Sikhs 4 v Brunswick 3, Yarra Valley 1 v PEGS 4, North West 10 v Monash University 0, Casey 2 v Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 4, Werribee 2 v Old Xaverians 2
Ladder: Melbourne Sikhs 42, PEGS 37, North West 32, Old Xaverians 32, Brunswick 30, Monash University 26, Werribee 17, Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 11, Yarra Valley 11, Casey 3
Fixture: Brunswick v North West Lightning, Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation v Werribee, Monash University v Casey, PEGS v Melbourne Sikhs, Old Xaverians v Yarra Valley
