CN Sant Andreu moved to within one victory of a first-ever Spanish league title after defeating Assolim Mataró 10-8 in the opening game of the women’s División de Honor playoff final.
In a final between two sides preparing for the Champions League Final Four, Sant Andreu made home advantage count at the Pere Serrat pool, holding off a strong Mataró fightback in a tense and high-quality contest.
Javi Aznar’s side started superbly, with Martina Terré setting the tone in goal and the home defence limiting Mataró’s rhythm early on. Sant Andreu built a 3-0 lead in the opening quarter through goals from Robin Jutte, Alice Williams and Alba Muñoz, before Martina Clavería pulled one back for Mataró late in the period.
Williams struck again early in the second quarter to restore Sant Andreu’s three-goal cushion, but Queralt Bertran responded for Mataró to make it 4-2. María Palacio then found the net from the left side to push Sant Andreu ahead 5-2, only for Mataró to stay in touch through Anni Kearns, who scored with 18 seconds left before halftime.
Sant Andreu extended the lead again after the restart through Paula Camus, but Mataró then produced their best spell of the match. Roemer converted a penalty after Nona Pérez was penalised, before Hauschild scored twice as Dani Ballart’s side put together a 3-0 run to level the match at 6-6 midway through the third quarter.
The momentum had briefly shifted, but Sant Andreu responded with composure. Ari Ruiz broke the tie with a left-handed finish, before Elena Ruiz added another to give the hosts an 8-6 lead heading into the final period.
Mataró continued to push in the fourth quarter. Roemer and Ari Ruiz traded penalties to make it 9-7, before Kearns produced a clever reverse finish to cut the gap to one. But Ari Ruiz, who was decisive in the final stages, completed a superb late burst with her third goal in less than six minutes, restoring Sant Andreu’s two-goal advantage at 10-8.
There was late controversy from the Mataró bench and travelling support after a VAR review for a possible penalty on Hauschild, but no further goal came. Sant Andreu held firm to take the first game of the series.
The second match will be played on Saturday at 19:30, live on RTVE Play. A win for Sant Andreu would secure the club’s first league title, while Mataró must respond at home to keep the final alive.
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