{"id":73353,"date":"2025-05-25T17:50:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T15:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=73353"},"modified":"2025-05-25T17:50:04","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T15:50:04","slug":"menlopark-crowned-st-annes-cup-champions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=73353","title":{"rendered":"Menlopark crowned St Anne’s Cup champions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Menlopark’s victorious team posing with the St Anne’s Cup. Photo: Supplied.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Die Ho\u00ebrskool Menlopark<\/strong> produced a composed, skilful, and entertaining performance on their way to lifting the St Anne’s Cup<\/strong> after beating Our Lady of Fatima<\/strong> 2-0 in a scintillating final at St Anne’s, in Hilton, on Sunday.<\/p>\n

“I’m extremely proud of our performances this weekend,” Brad Brook<\/strong>, the Menlopark coach, told Supersport Schools Plus<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

“We took it one game at a time, relying on our team principles, tons of grit, and sisterhood throughout the weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Brook’s charges finished second in Pool A, they had to navigate a path manned by powerhouses from that point onwards. They triumphed 2-1 over last year’s runner-up, Durban Girls’ College<\/strong>, in the quarterfinals and were tested by Free State titans, Eunice<\/strong>, in the semifinals, but advanced after a penalty shootout.<\/p>\n

“We are very fortunate to have great depth in our squad with various players putting their hands up and delivering match-winning performances across the five games,” Brook said.<\/p>\n

Menlopark’s captain, Zo\u00eb Badenhorst<\/strong>, excelled and was named the Striker of the Tournament, while Annika Kloppers<\/strong> took home the Goalkeeper of the Tournament prize. Carlia Potgieter<\/strong>, meanwhile, produced her best performance in the final.<\/p>\n

The Pretoria school had the first touch in the title match, and they ensured that they had the ball under their control for the first 35 minutes of the contest.<\/p>\n

They won the first of their six penalty corners six minutes into the first chukka, but it came to nought. Shortly after that, they were unable to turn a second set piece into a goal.<\/p>\n

Our Lady of Fatima\u2019s goalkeeper Kayla Driver<\/strong> was the main reason why Menlopark was unable to make a breakthrough. She made a handful of outstanding saves to keep the score at 0-0 after the first 15 minutes.<\/p>\n