Pembroke and Pegasus continue to set the pace in the women's EY Hockey League following their fourth wins from five outings thus far in the elite competition.
For reigning champions Pegasus, teenager Niamh McIvor struck her second winning goal of the season to date when the Ulster side stormed back from 2-0 down to defeat UCD 3-2 at Belfield.
The Students were off to a flyer thanks to Niamh Carey and Sarah Young goals but a brace from Alex Speers made it 2-2 at half-time and McIvor won it with the only strike of the second half.
Pembroke edged out Belfast Harlequins 2-1. Sinead Loughran and Jenna Watt traded second-quarter goals before Orla Macken continued her sparkling form with a powerful penalty corner hit to settle the contest.
Loreto are next in line two points back. Their 3-1 win over Old Alex saw them jump above the Milltown side with Sarah Torrans netting twice and Jessica Meeke scoring the other goal.
Muckross recorded their first win of the season as two goals in the last five minutes allowed them to run up a 4-2 success against Cork Harlequins. Anna O’Flanagan and Jessica McGirr had given Muckross a 1-0 and 2-1 lead before Emma Barber replied both times to make it 2-2.
Sophie Barnwell held her nerve to crucially put the Dublin 4 side back in front and Nikki Keegan made it 4-2 with the last play of the game.
Railway Union edged out Catholic Institute 2-1 at Park Avenue to rise to seven points and back in the hunt for a play-off place. Riona Norton’s late penalty stroke save was the key moment after Niamh Shaw and Lily Lloyd gave Railway a lead they ultimately protected.
