In only their 2nd full season, the Hamilton Wildcats AFC Women's team has reached the Finals series for the 2nd straight year!!! In 2012, the Lady Wildcats fell short in the Grand Final to an undefeated High Park Lady Demons side (8.8.56 to 2.5.17), but as Hamilton preps to face the Demons this coming Saturday, our ladies are looking for a much different finish to their 2013 season.
To say that the Lady Wildcats have an uphill battle this coming weekend would definitely be an understatement, as the High Park Demons are not only the 2-time defending OAFL Women's Premiers, but they have also complied a 15-1 record over the last 2 years with their only loss coming by way of forfeit. Now, with that being said, 2013 Women's Head Coach Nick DiRago has worked tirelessly to have his side prepared for this weekend's big match, and all the hard work that our women have been putting forth in training over the last few weeks has really started to translate to the oval. Despite losing several key players from last year's talented roster, Captain Kendra Heil & Vice Captain Candace Kwan have been very active in continuing to recruit new players in 2013, and many of our 1st year Women's players such as Meagan Lowden, Lia Stafford, Michelle Grynberg & Lisa Muldoon have been massive additions and all played crucial roles in the team's success this season. Along with the skilled group of rookies this year, there has also been tremendious improvement in many of the 2nd year players such as Jodie Fluit (13 goals - leads team), Danielle Comolli & Sam Pepper to name a few. The Wildcats were also blessed to have had 5 of our Women's players named to the Canadian Women's National Team this season; as Danielle Comolli, Kendra Heil, Jodie Fluit & Candace Kwan were selected to the "Northern Lights" squad for the 2nd consecutive year, while Samantha Pepper was a 1st time selection. Unfortunately, the Wildcats opponents for this coming weekend are also chalked full of talent from top to bottom on their roster and look just as good on paper as does the Hamilton squad. This is why games are settled on the field and not just on the stat sheets.
Personally, I feel as if Hamilton learned more about themselves and how to improve from last years loss in the Grand Final, than the Demons did in their win; and believe that experience will do more to help the Wildcats heading into the 2013 Finals series than hurt them. No matter what sport it is, we love rooting for the underdog so-to-speak, as there's something romantic about a group of underachievers coming together to overcome insurmountable odds and take down the "giant". Well, I believe that time is now for the Lady Wildcats, and this weekend they will have their chance to do what they weren't able to do last season; down the Demons and move one step closer to bringing home the 1st OAFL Premiership in Hamilton Wildcats AFC history!!!
Let's get around our amazing Lady Wildcats this weekend, and help them march all the way to the 2013 OAFL Women's Grand Final!!!
Last Modified on 05/09/2013 23:36