Great Britain U18 Women 1-2 Hungary U18 Women

Great Britain Under-18 Women were beaten 2-1 by Hungary U18 Women in their opening game in the four-team international tournament in Sosnowiec.

Elizabeth Saunders was named captain before the game, with Lucy Beal and Emily Harris as alternate captains.

GB netminder Ella Howard, who won JC’s hardest-working hat award, made 21 saves.

Britain took the lead at 12:40 thanks to Emily Harris and held the advantage until the third period.

But Hungary won the game with two goals in the last eight minutes through Lara Strobl and Imola Horvath.

Head coach, Cheryl Smith, said: “I am proud of them. We had 11 rookies – half our team – who have never played at this level before.

“They listened and followed everything we asked of them. In the end, a well-drilled Hungarian team got the better of us.

“But for 51 minutes we held the higher-ranked team and had great spells where we pinned them in their own zone.

“The programme has youth coming through now which bodes well for the future.”

GB return to action tomorrow (Saturday) when they face Poland U18 Women at 7:30pm (6:30pm UK time).

GB U18 Women’s schedule
Friday 9th November – GB U18 Women 1-2 Hungary U18 Women
Saturday 10th November – Poland U18 Women v GB U18 Women 7:30pm (6:30pm)
Sunday 11th November – GB U18 Women v Spain U18 Women 12noon (11am)