They've been the benchmark for 11 years and today they proved just why.
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The Lithgow Panthers women's premier league hockey team won their sixth grand final after a 2-nil feat over Bathurst St Pat's at home on Saturday.
Supporters gathered on the outside of Lithgow Hockey Complex to watch the nail-biting match as spectators weren't allowed in the grounds due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The feel from the Lithgow side was confident and vocal as they headed into the first quarter.
Panthers' Clare Bosman worked well in the centres and was first to strike but Pat's keeper LilliRae Campbell blocked the shot.
With plenty of possession it wasn't long before Panthers received a short corner, and Elissa Marshall struck the back of the net giving the purples a 1-nil lead.
Two minutes left on the clock and Pat's attempted to equalize after a short corner was granted, but Panthers goalkeeper Jess Luchetti was not allowing it.
Coach David Marshall said Luchetti had an outstanding match and saved her squad on several occasions.
"Jess was outstanding, she probably saved our ass," he said.
Leading into the second quarter Panthers secured their win with Kellsey Charlton bagging her first goal of the season.
Lithgow looked comfortable heading into second half and despite Pat's turning on the pressure, they remained confident which lead them to their victory.
"Pat's played really well and they started to come at us in the second half," Marshall said.
"I thought after the second goal we were going to keep going, then Pat's just kept coming at us but luckily our defence was outstanding," he said.
Marshall said going through the year undefeated and taking out the grand final was a huge achievement.
"It's just amazing, it's huge," he said.
"Congratulations to the girls they deserve everything they get."
St Pat's coach Ben Weal said his squad had their fair share of chances but Panthers were just too strong.
"In the first quarter they were hard on us, we were probably hitting a bit too long rather than controlling the ball but as the game built we controlled better and the chances started to come," he said.
"Everyone tried and ran their butts off but Panthers' goalkeeper just had an absolute blinder," he said.
"Lithgow has been the benchmark for eleven years and when you hear that you think 'wow eleven years straight, that's amazing'," he said.
Weal said after having one loss all year and finishing third, it showed just how tight competition had been.
"You've had to make sure you've won your games to even be a contender."
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