Louise Campbell slotted the game-winner as Scotland defeated Czech Republic 3-2 to qualify for the women’s EuroHockey Championship II semi-final at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre.
The Edinburgh University star scored late-on in a tense game but praise must go to goalkeeper Amy Gibson who dived full-length to smother the ball and deny Czech Republic star Veronika Decsyova late-on.
Earlier Scotland’s other goalkeeper, Nicola Cochrane, a Great Britain international, who played the first-half, made an outstanding save to stop Czech Republic from taking the lead.
Scotland, who had dominated the game, took the lead a minute after half-time when former Inverleith player, Amy Costello, blasted home from a penalty corner.
The Scots, with three other Great Britain internationals Amy Costello, Charlotte Watson and Sarah Robertson (pictured) in their line-up, piled on the pressure and came close with a series of penalty corners.
One of the routines eventually produced No 2 when captain Kaz Cuthbert deflected the ball into the net from close range.
The Czechs pulled one back through a slick penalty corner routine with Adela Lehovcova.
Scotland ran up the pitch to net their third through an exceptional deflected strike by Campbell who nipped in front of a defender to send the ball home for 3-1.
A Czech counter-attack saw Veronika Decsyova convert to make it 3-2 and set-up a nerve-tingling finish.
However, Scotland managed the game out and head coach Jen Wilson said: “The quality of the goals was pleasing, and to score our third right after Czech Republic scored their first shows the great reaction of the players.
“They will enjoy this but we have a very tough game against Austria tomorrow when we’ll look to continue our good performances.”
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