HOCKEY: 16-year-old Madison Fitzpatrick scored a hat trick in the Australian Jillaroos 4-2 come-from-behind victory over USA on Thursday afternoon, securing her side a place in Sunday’s gold medal match.

Fitzpatrick, the youngest member of the Australian squad, showed maturity beyond her years as she helped pull the Jillaroos back from a 2-0 deficit late in the first half.

USA’s Emma Bozek netted a double inside the first half an hour but Fitzpatrick converted a penalty corner with one minute to go before half time keeping Australia just one goal of the pace at the break.

The Jillaroos had numerous chances throughout the second half and a number of penalty corners go their way but just couldn’t take full advantage.
Kathryn Slattery found an equaliser in the 59th minute and all of a sudden Australia had their tails up as Fitzpatrick netted another penalty corner just a minute later.

The victory was then sealed when Fitzpatrick’s third found the net from yet another penalty corner with less than five minutes on the clock.

“This is my first international series so I’m pretty stoked, considering I’m the youngest it makes me feel really happy and excited for the team and what’s ahead,” Fitzpatrick said after the game.

USA coach Steve Jennings admitted it was a tough result for his team but credited Australia for the way they played.

“They created a lot of chances, we made a nice play and had some really good patches of play but ultimately we weren’t able to keep the game and pressure on them and their defence,” he said.

China and Australia will play in Sunday’s gold medal match but first have to play each other on Saturday in the final pool game while USA and Great Britain will look to register their first win when they clash.

Beau Greenway
Olympics.com.au