Oxford won the women’s Varsity match on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Cambridge.
After a 3-0 win in the men’s match, the Dark Blues twice came from behind to seal a fourth consecutive double victory.
Cambridge started the game well and quickly opened their account after a well-delivered corner was headed in by Jen Atherton in the 16th minute.
Oxford hit back quickly after the goal and pushed the Cambridge defence hard. In the end it was another set piece which delivered the goods for the Dark Blues after star player Beverley Leon equalised from a rebound in the 40th minute.
Oxford didn’t have the lead for long however and another set piece delivered a second for Cambridge. This time, Sophia d’Angelo converted a well rehearsed corner to make it 2-1 to the Light Blues.
A period of end to end play followed the goal with both teams going close. However, Oxford went into half-time one goal down to what was a strong Cambridge team.
Oxford started the second half well and had some very close opportunities with Leon again almost finding the back of the net, following a skilful solo run.
But it was Cambridge who scored first after Oxford gave away a penalty in the 54th minute. Dark Blue substitute keeper, May Martin, dived the right way and was unlucky to concede a well-hit penalty from Atherton to make it 3-1.
Oxford fought back quickly and some more strong play from Leon finally broke through the Cambridge defence in 60th minute. She headed a good cross in the back of the net to take the match to 3-2.
However, there was still drama in the match with substitute Mary Hintze scoring late after a Cambridge defensive error. The match finished 3-3 and went to penalties.
Oxford shot first and never looked back. A good save from substitute goalie May Martin and a miss from Cambridge led to a 4-2 shoot-out victory.
Oxford’s coach, Rob Gier, told Cherwell:”I am feeling over the moon. The team has just been brilliant from when we started to today and it’s a culmination today of all their hard work that they have put in.”
“They were absolutely outstanding and it was great to see how they dug in when they were three one down. The goals galvanised them. We knew Cambridge were going to be aggressive but we pushed back at them and I just couldn’t be prouder of the girls right now.”
