Despite being at opposite ends of the field both Sophie O’Brien and Georgia Little played starring roles in Hunter’s first NSW Combined High Schools title in 24 years.
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O’Brien, 17, of Cessnock, was part of the strong defensive line which conceded just once during last month’s tournament in Bathurst. Little, 15, of Raworth, netted the winning goal in the decider.
Hunter triumphed 2-1 in the final to cap off an undefeated carnival with debutant Little, a Maitland Grossmann High School student, on the spot to strike deep in the second half.
Hunter had conceded first in the top-two showdown after the team’s goalkeeper was knocked out in the opening five minutes attempting a save.
This meant experienced campaigner O’Brien, a Year 12 student at Mount View appearing at her third state tournament, and her fellow defenders had to step up another level to protect Hunter’s goals.
It proved successful and Hunter clinched their first NSW CHS open girl’s football crown since 1991.
Following the carnival O’Brien and Little were selected in the NSW CHS II squad to contest the NSW All Schools Championships at Sydney’s Valentine Park on June 15 and 16.
Aberglasslyn’s Kalista Hunter was also part of the victorious Hunter side and was named as a shadow player for NSW CHS.
O’Brien, Little and Hunter are all part of the Newcastle under-17 Emerging Jets squad currently playing in the NSW Women’s National Premier League.
The talented trio will also represent Northern NSW at the National Training Centre Challenge in Canberra in July.
