Hockey: Black Sticks finish fourth

Sophie Cocks scored for the Black Sticks but it wasn't enough. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Black Sticks have finished fourth at the Champions Trophy following a 2-1 defeat to Netherlands in the bronze medal match in Mendoza, Argentina this morning.

The defeat means New Zealand failed to match their best performance at a Champions Trophy tournament - a third placing in the 2011 event.

The Black Sticks enjoyed early possession before the Olympic gold medallists scored two goals in quick succession.

Xan de Waard opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a quick deflection by New Zealand goalkeeper Sally Rutherdord. Lidewij Welten then doubled the lead five minutes later, finishing off a slick team goal to put the Dutch in control of the third-fourth playoff.

Sophie Cocks hit back for New Zealand in the 29th minute making it 2-1 at halftime but the Black Sticks couldn't find an equaliser.

Australia and Argentina play in the gold medal match later this morning.

"For this group of young players, people will probably think we have exceeded expectations, but the disappointing thing is we had our chances and could have got through to the finals, but it didn't happen. I think as a team, we are tired of getting so close but not winning those big games," said New Zealand coach Mark Hager.

"In today's game, we started off okay, but they dominated for most of the game. Again, we let them turnover the ball at crucial times and from that they scored goals. I think they deserved to beat us, they had more circle penetrations, we need to be able to hold the ball better going forward," said Hager.

Hager noted that Brooke Neal, Stacey Michelsen, Anita Punt and Sam Charlton were all consistent performers throughout the tournament.