The Agents ladies did not have the best start to the 2011/12 season, having lost their first game to a strong UA Sonics 1 team. The second game of the season promised to be another tough game for the ladies. After an early start and a long journey north to Groningen, the Agents lined up against last season’s closest rival: UC Face Off. The match had been chosen as “match of the day” by the online floorball magazine and that was certainly how it was played.

The game started well and the Agents were able to keep a tight organisation of the lines with some nice passing around, which resulted in a number of shots on goal, but in a first instance these were too easy for the reputable UC Face Off keeper Lidwien Reehuis. Face Off also launched some attacks on goal. One promising outbreak by Face Off was nevertheless brought to an abrupt halt when Agents star keeper Sita Verburg showed off her strength in one on one situations by bringing down Face Off forward Laura Geelen. The Agents kept their cool and with patience also came the first goal. Anna Kijlstra, Agents coach and centre, showed her skill moving the ball around the goal and provided one of those golden assists in front of the goal where Flor Thijssens was able to pop it in the net.

The second period did not go to plan however. The energy in the Agents game appeared to get lost and at the same time UC Face Off were putting more pressure on the Agents defence. Too often the agents were shooting directly at the keeper and losing possession and so it happened that after a quick counter Face Off managed to equalise. After another goal for Face Off, they were given a 2 minute penalty for playing with too many players on the rink and this seemed to be the chance for the Agents to pull back the 2-2. But just like the rest of the second period, this did not go to plan, with Face Off intercepting the ball and playing a quick counter, leaving Agent keeper Sita facing the impossible. So, 1-3 after the second period and the Agents knew they needed to change the game around… and do so fast… but what to do? Well… what the Agents can always rely on when needing some inspiration… the Kankimonkey!

Strange as it may seem to an outsider, the kankimonkey has immense power and infused the Agents with that extra bit of fighting spirit which was lacking so badly in the second period – and almost immediately came the result – another fantastic assist by Anna Kijlstra on Marein Veneema, who was playing for her first time in an Agents shirt, and the score was 2-3 with a full period to go. Throughout the period, the Agents slowly increased the pressure on the Face Off players and started once again to find some of their old attacking rhythm. The balance of shots was turned in the Agents favour, and although they were unable to take their chances in yet another powerplay situation, the shots were increasing and finally, after a nice 1-2-3 from Lorna Fässler, to Eline Brekelmans and on to Veronika Sucha the Agents could equalise.

3-3 the final score, first point of the season in the pocket, but the Agents still seem to be finding their top form. Onwards and upwards from here!