New Zealand Black Sticks Anita Punt. Photo / Greg Bowker.
The New Zealand women's hockey side drew 2-2 with Australia in the opening game of the three-test series at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington today.
The Black Sticks started impressively, with Pippa Hayward and Sophie Cocks giving the Kiwis a 2-0 lead, but Karri McMahon converted two penalty corners
in the second half to keep the world's No 2-ranked side very much in the series.
"We probably had some chances when we were 2-0 up to make it 3-0 or even 4-0, but that has been our problem, we are just needing to get better and practice our goal shooting more," coach Mark Hager said. "Ultimately, we conceded too many corners and gave them too many chances, and I know our defence will be disappointed about that."
In the first half, a nice piece of play from Michaela Curtis and captain Stacey Michelsen, who has returned to the side for the series, set up a goal for Hayward in the fifth minute. Black Stick goalkeeper Sally Rutherford kept New Zealand in the game early on with some impressive saves while up front Olivia Merry and Michelsen both had shots at goal.
In the second half, Sophie Cocks scored in the opening moments with a direct hit from the top of the circle. But the tables turned in the 35th minute when McMahon got the final touch on a penalty corner deflection and then equalised in the 58th minute.
