Black Sticks Women in position to win the series   25 Oct 2014

The Black Sticks Women have won 1-0 against the USA, setting up a series decider in the final test tomorrow at the Trust House Wairarapa Hockey turf in Clareville.

Today’s game was the first time an international hockey test has been held in the Wairarapa, and the win in front of an excited and enthusiastic local crowd, was exactly what the Black Sticks were hoping for.

It was co-captain Anita Punt who got the team over the line in the 47th minute, with her side managing to defend the counter-attack from the USA in the final minutes of the game.

“A win is good, I thought we played really well in the first two quarters. In the third one I thought we fell away a little bit and let them back into the game - we definitely lost some structure in that 15 minutes,” said head coach Mark Hager.

“Our nemesis at the moment is scoring goals. We have plenty of opportunities, but hopefully the girls will understand they have to work harder at their goal scoring and circle entries. It does take time at this level to get used to the pressure, to realise how quickly you have to shoot,” said Hager.

With a number of senior Black Sticks unavailable for this series, there have been eight changes to the Kiwi side since the Commonwealth Games with only three changes to the American side since their team played to fourth at the FIH World Cup in June.

“One of the goals today was to not let them score and so to achieve that is very, very pleasing. When you hold an opposition team to zero, you have done pretty well.”

In the first half, the Black Sticks were the dominant side and had ample opportunities, the closest shot coming from Olivia Merry in the first quarter when it bounced off the cross bar. The experienced USA side were superb in defence, marking well and putting pressure on the Kiwis every time they entered the circle.

New Zealand continued to hold the lion’s share of possession in the second half, and showed much better vision and speed giving themselves every opportunity. They couldn’t get it through the final line of the USA defence until the fourth quarter, when co-captain Sam Charlton passed to Punt at the top of the circle who smacked it home.

The final game of the series is tomorrow afternoon at Clareville at 2pm.

Tickets are cheaper online at www.dashtickets.co.nz with family, student and child discounts available. Gate sales also available.

All games are live streamed here on the Hockey NZ website - http://bit.ly/1qLD3LR

RESULT
Full time: 1-0
Half time: 0-0
NZ goal scorers: Anita Punt

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