HOCKEY: The Hockeyroos have claimed the 2015 Oceania Cup title after defeating Trans-Tasman rivals the New Zealand Black Sticks 2-1 in dramatic circumstances.
It took a shoot-out to separate the two sides after the match had finished 1-1 in regulation time with the Hockeyroos going on to win the shoot-out 2-1, claiming back their 2013 Oceania Cup title.
Hockeyroos head coach Adam Commens said, “It’s always a difficult match against New Zealand and we have brought a very young and inexperienced team here, so to get the result against them at their home ground is a wonderful achievement.
“We were confident with our shoot-out and penalty corners today. I thought New Zealand defended very well, however, ultimately we got the result and once again are Oceania Cup champions.”
Discussing the Hockeyroos’ shoot-out performance, Commens added, “It’s something that we train hard for and I was very pleased with how we executed our goals. I thought that both goalkeepers played very well today, in particular Rachael Lynch during the shoot-out scenario.”
There was no holding back for the Black Sticks during the start of the gold medal final, taking an early 1-0 lead after Kiwi Petrea Webster coolly slotted the ball over Australia’s goalkeeper Ashlee Wells in the 9th minute, putting the Black Sticks in front 1-0.
Fighting back, the Hockeyroos turned the score around at the 23rd minute. Victorian Laura Barden sneaked a quick on target deflection past New Zealand’s goalkeeper Amelia Gibson, deadlocking the score 1-1.
The Hockeyroos managed to penetrate their attacking circle, however, couldn’t seem to breakdown the Black Sticks robust defensive structure to convert their opportunities, pushing the match into a deciding shoot-out on the final siren.
During the shoot-out, tensions were high with the 2015 Oceania Cup title at stake. The Black Sticks were up first, Stacey Michelsen was quickly denied access by Australia’s goalkeeper Rachael Lynch. Emily Smith stepped up next for the Hockeyroos, however, was also unable to get her strike past the Black Sticks goalkeeper Sally Rutherford, scores remained deadlocked 0-0.
In the next three attempts, New Zealand Black Sticks’ Elizabeth Thompson and Samantha Charlton and Hockeyroos’ Karri McMahon were all denied access. Jodie Kenny finally broke the ice for the Hockeyroos on their third attempt, pushing the girls in green and gold 1-0 up.
Charlotte Harrison struck back for the Black Sticks on their fourth attempt, levelling the score 1-1. Hockeyroos’ Mariah Williams followed with an on-target strike, securing Australia a 2-1 victory after Olivia Merry missed New Zealand’s final shoot-out attempt.
The Hockeyroos will now look ahead to their World League Final campaign in Rosario, Argentina from 6-14 December 2015. The Hockeyroos’ World League squad will be named in the coming weeks.
Hockeyroos Squad
Athlete (Hometown, State) caps/goals
Started
Madonna Blyth (Brisbane, QLD) 311/68
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA) 73/6
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 84/8
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT) 154/35
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD) 149/92
Stephanie Kershaw (Townsville, QLD) 6/2
Karri McMahon (Berri, SA) 76/8
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT) 65/12
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA) 28/8
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW) 130/56
Ashlee Wells (Moe, VIC) 57/0
Used Substitute
Laura Barden (Kew, VIC) 6/3
Edwina Bone (Evatt, ACT) 84/2
Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW)* 6/3
Rachael Lynch (Warrandyte, VIC) 129/0
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW) 17/1
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA) 185/66
Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW) 24/4
*Madison Fitzpatrick is a scholarship holder at the Queensland Academy of Sport.
Oceania Cup Final Standings
1. Australia
2. New Zealand Black Sticks
3. Samoa
HOCKEY AUSTRALIA
