CHRISTINA WOOD will certainly remember the Swindon TopCats away league match against Oxford University with affection for many years to come, writes DAVE EATON.
The 16-year TopCats youngster had never scored a goal in competitive ice hockey, but in this game she opened her account and went on to notch a hat-trick in the 19-3 win.
Swindon dominated the match and went on another scoring spree to give the students a lesson in the noble art of scoring.
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Top markswomen Ruth Leopold struck a double hat-trick, Sarah Bennett netted four times while Wood, pictured, bagged a single hat-trick.
It took TopCats' league record this season to 17 straight wins and they just need to win their last match against Basingstoke Bison Ladies to end their British Women's Division One South League campaign with a 100 per cent record.
Sarah Bennett opened the scoring after only 62 seconds and added another 18 seconds later.
Oxford replied at 2.46 but then Swindon reasserted themselves adding a further four goals from Ruth Leopold (2), Lyanne Diotte and Christina Wood.
The one-way traffic continued in the second period as TopCats fired in 19 shots on target and scored seven unanswered goals from Leopold (2), Lynn Taylor, Vicki Hart, Bennett (2) and Becci Hargreaves to move into a 13-1 lead.
With victory assured TopCats took their foot off the pedal slightly in the last 15 minute session.
They conceded two goals but still struck another six times through Taylor, Leopold (2), Jennifer Fleming and a brace from Wood, her hat-trick goal coming in the final minute with just 28 seconds remaining on the clock.
Topcats final league fixture is at home to Basingstoke Bison Ladies at the Link Centre this coming Sunday, May 4 (6.45pm).
Bison are vying for second spot with Chelmsford so it should be a competitive game and give TopCats the ideal preparation for the play-offs at the end of May.
MATCH STATS
TopCats scorers: Leopold 6goals + 4assists; Bennett 4+2; Wood 3+0; Taylor 2+0; Hargreaves 1+4; Diotte, Fleming and Vicki Hart all 1+2; Louise Spence 0+1.
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