Hockey: Aussies keep USA winless

An American player crashes over an Australian player at the Vantage Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey tonight. Photo/ Duncan Brown.

Australia 3 USA 1
Australia kept the United States winless at the Hawke's Bay Cup hockey tournament in Hastings tonight with a 3-1 victory.
The Aussies displayed improvement on their 1-all with the same team last Friday night at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park.
Australia took a 1-0 lead courtesy of a field goal from midfielder Jane-Anne Claxton seven minutes into the first quarter. It followed a scramble in front of the goal mouth.
Claxton has been in the Aussie side since 2013 and played at the Rio Olympics. Aussie had the better structures appropriate for the wet conditions but were unable to capitalise during the remainder of the quarter.
The second quarter was more even territory wise. Aussie failed with a penalty corner attempt in the second minute.
The United States were unlucky not have an own goal awarded in their favour with five minutes remaining. Some superb saves from Aussie goal keeper Ashlee Wells saw the score remain 1-0 to her team at the halftime whistle.
The United States had two players, Michelle Vittese and Taylor West, green carded at the same time during the third quarter but still managed to keep the Aussies out with keeper Lauren Blaxing having some memorale patches. The United States equalised when Kathleen Sharkey converted a penalty corner with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Aussies appeared to be tiring in the fourth quarter but took the lead with 12 minutes remaining with a field goal from Emily Smith. Two minutes later Ashlea Fey converted a penalty corner to extend the lead to 3-1.