Sport
15 July, 2025
Navarre back in the winners column at Dunolly’s expense
Following back-to-back losses, Navarre have returned to winning ways, forced to work hard for their four points with an 18-goal win against a defiant Dunolly.
While the Grasshoppers entered the game unchanged after last week’s loss to Natte Bealiba, the Eagles were given a huge boost heading into this match with player coach Lillie Wrigley returning to the team for Mia Schodde.
Known for their elite defensive play, Navarre wasted no time locking up Dunolly on their home court, with Jade Allen and Sophie Flood marshalling a defence that allowed only five goals in the first quarter.
The Grasshoppers carried that momentum to take an eight-goal advantage into quarter time.
The visitors elected to start with Chloe Frank and Brianna Hyslop as their shooters, with the pair getting their team off on the right foot with eight and five goals respectively in the opening term.
After Navarre continued to control the contest in the second quarter, Wrigley was brought on at goal attack to try and keep the Eagles in striking distance.
However, the visitors remained in command, with the introduction of Sidney Dyer keeping their offence clicking as the margin increased to 16 goals by half time.
While Frank led the scoring with nine goals, Hyslop made all six of her shots in the second quarter to help the Grasshoppers build their healthy lead.
After scoring two in the first quarter, Zoe Aldridge added another two in the second term alongside Wrigley, who opened her account with three goals.
Goals were at a premium at the start of the third quarter, with Dunolly’s defensive pressure, particularly from Ashlee Lierich and Demcy Fraser matching their opponents to start the second half.
Even with the visitors’ super-sub Erin Jackson coming on late in the quarter, the Eagles were impressive in holding the Grasshoppers to eight goals for the term.
Despite that, Navarre was able to double up the hosts 36-18 by three-quarter time after conceding just six goals in the third period.
Hyslop remained sharp under the net for the visitors, netting five while Frank scored two and Jackson added one.
Wrigley began to find a rhythm late in the quarter to score four goals, with teammate Aldridge converting a further two.
After a defensive third quarter, the final term was the complete opposite, with both teams finding their offensive groove to score 12 goals each.
It didn’t change the final result, as Navarre left Deledio Reserve with a 48-30 victory to their name.
Frank was spectacular for the Grasshoppers in the last quarter with 10 goals from 11 attempts, assisted by Jackson who scored two.
Wrigley was just as potent as Frank for the hosts, only missing one of nine shots to finish with a team-high 15 goals for the match.