Goals aplenty in Narrogin exhibition game as WA Country narrowly edge Upper Great Southern Presidents XI

A last-gasp goal was all that separated the Upper Great Southern Hockey Association President’s XI and WA Country in Saturday night’s exhibition game in Narrogin. The annual match was a terrific contest as WA Country claimed a 3-1 victory in the final two minutes but in the spirit of the exhibition game, a shootout was played afterwards to add to the spectacle despite the result. President’s XI’s Shaun Shackley from Woodanilling scored the first goal, outrunning his opponent’s defences for a clean shot in the first quarter. This glory was short-lived as their opponents were hungry in the second quarter, making for a quick shot by Lewis Barritt followed by Brodie Payton in the third term as WA Country took a 2-1 lead. About 500 spectators were on the edge of their seats as the President’s XI sped up the already fast-paced game in the final quarter. There were quick turnovers and little chance for either team to have an opportunity at the goals. As the seconds counted down the pressure continued to build, prompting the President’s XI to swap their goalie Graham Treloar for field player Marcel Corasaniti in a bid to net an equaliser. That move proved costly however as Matthew Souchon shot past Corasaniti during the final minute, giving WA Country their third goal and the game. After the final siren sounded, the game continued into a sudden-death shootout as the President’s XI had a chance to get their revenge. Their first shots didn’t seem promising but two deadly hits had the rivals at 3-3. The State team had a taste of glory and refused to let it go, with continuous lethal attacks at the net to score another two goals. The score finished 5-3 in favour of the visitors, WA Country leaving the field with the spoils for the second year in a row.