The Ulster U16 girls suffered a narrow 2-1 loss in their final game against Scotland at UUJ this morning.
Having fell behind early, an Ava Cunningham strike drew Ulster level before Scotland sealed their victory with a goal early in the second half.
The visitors took the lead with seven minutes on the clock when they were awarded their second penalty corner of the tie. Unfortunately for the Ulster defence, a straight strike from the top of the circle picked out the bottom corner.
Straight from the restart, it was Ulster on the attack as we won a penalty corner of our own, but Nyla Mallon couldn’t find the target as he strike went just wide of the far post.
Then, with just two minutes remaining in the quarter, Ava Cunningham caught Scotland on the break before slotting past the goalkeeper to equalise.
A quiet second quarter only saw one chance for either side. Having broken into the circle, a Scottish forward was able to get a shot off from the penalty spot, but Issy Ham stood tall to make the save before the Ulster defence cleared the danger.
With no more chances for either side, the teams went into the half-time break at 1-1.
Seven minutes into the second half, Scotland restored their lead. Having broken down the right flank, a Scottish forward was able to cut inside and unleash a reverse strike from the top of the circle and fire past Daisy Shirlow to put her side 2-1 ahead.
Just two minutes later, Shirlow was called into action once more as she made a great save down to her right to deny the visitors from a penalty corner.
With the quarter approaching the latter stages, Ulster could have been level as Alana Thornton drove forward before a loose ball fell to Ava Cunningham, but the forward could only find the side netting with her strike.
In the final quarter, Ulster went close to equalising once more, winning a penalty corner ten minutes into the period.
Nyla Mallon slipped left to Sophie Tate, but she saw her reverse effort well saved by the Scottish goalkeeper as it remained 2-1 and Scotland held out for a narrow victory.