Rigas Lauvas End Season with Victory Over Kekava in Floorball League
RIGA, Latvia – The Rīgas Lauvas concluded their season with a hard-fought 7-6 victory over FK Ķekava/Latvijas Mediji on , but the win wasn’t enough to secure a playoff berth in the Latvian-Estonian combined floorball league. Despite the offensive display, the Rīgas Lauvas finished at the bottom of the standings.
The first period saw a dominant performance from the visiting Rīgas Lauvas, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead. Kristīne Andrējeva, Linda Dadajeva, and Sofija Mališeva each found the back of the net early in the game. Ķekava responded with a goal from Annija Dārta Dankfelde in the 13th minute, but the Lauvas extended their advantage to 5-2 before the first period concluded.
The second period saw a more competitive exchange, with both teams scoring twice. The score moved to 7-4 in favor of the Rīgas Lauvas. Despite the continued pressure from the visitors, FK Ķekava/Latvijas Mediji began to mount a comeback.
The final period witnessed a determined effort from the home side, as they narrowed the gap with two goals, bringing the score to 7-6. However, despite their late push, Ķekava was unable to equalize, and the Rīgas Lauvas held on for the win.
Sofija Mališeva was recognized as the best player for the Rīgas Lauvas, scoring two goals in the contest. Linda Dadajeva, Kristīne Andrējeva, and Paula Sloģe also contributed with two points each, although Sigita Burceva delivered a standout performance with three assists. For FK Ķekava/Latvijas Mediji, Annija Dārta Dankfelde led the way with an impressive five points (four goals and one assist), supported by Samanta Bērziņa’s three assists and Ieva Bušmane’s two.
While the victory provided a positive end to the season for the Rīgas Lauvas, it wasn’t enough to overcome their earlier struggles. The team’s hopes for a playoff spot were extinguished earlier in the week after losses to Cēsu “Lekrings” and NND/RJTC. Even with the win against Ķekava, the Lauvas could only match Cēsu’s record, but lost the tiebreaker due to Lekrings winning two of their three head-to-head matchups.
Despite the disappointment of missing the playoffs, the Rīgas Lauvas demonstrated a strong offensive capability in their final game, showcasing a dynamic attack led by Mališeva, Dadajeva, and Andrējeva. The team’s ability to build a significant lead in the first period highlighted their potential, even if consistency proved elusive throughout the season.
FK Ķekava/Latvijas Mediji, despite the loss, secured fourth place in the Latvian-Estonian league with 22 points and finished third among Latvian teams, earning them a spot in the playoffs. Their strong performance throughout the season, coupled with Dankfelde’s individual brilliance, positions them as a contender in the postseason.
The game statistics reflected the offensive nature of the contest, with a total of 30 shots on goal for FK Ķekava/Latvijas Mediji and 20 for Rīgas Lauvas. The shot differential of 30-20 (11-8 in the first period, 8-7 in the second, and 11-5 in the third) indicates a sustained offensive effort from both sides, particularly from the home team in the later stages of the game.
The result underscores the competitive balance within the Latvian-Estonian floorball league, where even a strong performance in the final game isn’t always enough to guarantee a playoff berth. For the Rīgas Lauvas, the season ends with a bittersweet victory, while FK Ķekava/Latvijas Mediji looks ahead to the playoffs with a degree of momentum despite the loss.
FK Ķekava/Latvijas Mediji – Rīgas Lauvas – 6:7 (2:5, 2:2, 2:0)
Shot Ratio:
30:20 (11:8; 8:7; 11:5)
Top Scorers:
FK Ķekava/Latvijas Mediji – Annija Dārta Dankfelde 5 (4+1), Samanta Bērziņa 3 (0+3), Ieva Bušmane 2 (0+2), Katrīna Dārta Kārkliņa 1 (1+0), Arta Paipa 1 (1+0).
Rīgas Lauvas – Sigita Burceva 3 (0+3), Sofija Mališeva 2 (2+0), Linda Dadajeva 2 (2+0), Kristīne Andrējeva 2 (1+1), Paula Sloģe 2 (0+2), Paula Metāla 1 (1+0), Liene Leite 1 (1+0).