With scores tied at two goals each at the end of four quarters, both sides were forced into a nail-biting penalty shoot-out to keep their title aspirations alive.
But the River Rats and goalkeeper Wade Oliver held their nerve to seal a 4-3 shoot-out triumph and a grand final berth this Saturday, September 3, at Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex.
Echuca-Moama player Ashley Phipps recalled the dramatic final stanza.
“We came in as a bit of an underdog, I would say,” Phipps said.
“It ended up being a close game. The penalty shoot-out was a surprise, but it’s always exciting.
“I had a fair bit of confidence in our goalie (Oliver), but they have very good goal-shooters, so that was a concern. Wade was sensational to keep them out.”
Trailing 1-0 at half-time, Tom Kerr got Echuca-Moama on the board before SYC reclaimed the lead, but a crucial Nigel Berryman strike in the final minutes levelled scores to force the shoot-out.
The River Rats, chasing their first A-grade title since 2016, will join Echuca-Moama’s B-grade side on grand final day.
In A-grade, Echuca-Moama has a daunting task ahead against the Strikers, who will come in as favourites after an unbeaten season to date.
Finishing as minor premier in B-grade, the River Rats will face SYC in the decider after a week off.
In the under-17 grand final, Echuca-Moama fell 4-1 to Strikers/SYC to bring its season to a close.
Ryan Smith scored the lone strike for the River Rats, but a Samuel Holland brace and goals to Liam Caiafa and Emme Cole ensured the combined side lifted the junior trophy in 2022.
Lucas Kell and Isabella Ferguson toiled hard alongside Smith.
The GVHA grand final between Echuca-Moama and SYC starts at 11.30am, while the A-grade decider starts at 3.30pm.
GVHA A-grade semi-final
Echuca-Moama 2 (4) defeated SYC 2 (3) via penalty shoot-out
Echuca-Moama goals: Thomas Kerr, Nigel Berryman
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