Black Sticks women return to winning ways with 4-1 rout of USA

At National Hockey Stadium, Wellington: Black Sticks 4 (Megan Hull PC 4’, PC 56’, Olivia Shannon 32’ FG, Hannah Cotter FG 54’) United States 1 (Leah Crouse FG 19’) 1Q: 1-0, HT: 1-1, 3Q: 2-1, FT: 4-1.

The Black Sticks women have returned to the win column in impressive fashion, beating the USA 4-1 in Wellington on Saturday to breathe life into their FIH Pro League campaign.

Having lost to the same opponents via a shootout following a 1-1 draw a week ago, the hosts were under pressure as they sought a first victory of the season.

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And they got a measure of revenge at National Hockey Stadium as goals from Olivia Shannon and Hannah Cotter either side of a Megan Hull double propelled them to a hard-fought win.

Prior to last weekend’s defeat, world No 9 New Zealand had beaten the 16th-ranked Americans in seven of their past eight meetings, including the last four.

And they showed their class in a much-improved display in the capital by scoring three unanswered goals in the second half.

The Black Sticks got off to a dream start, making their possession and territory count by winning a penalty corner inside the opening five minutes.

From the resulting corner, skipper Hull placed her shot into the corner to give the Kiwis an early lead.

However, the USA soon grew into the match and drew level before halftime when Amanda Golini penetrated the circle from the right and found Leah Crouse in space.

Still with plenty to do, Crouse dribbled away from goal to open up space before lifting a reverse flick over the keeper to ensure the two teams went into the break all square.

The Americans started the second half with a high press, but it was New Zealand who found the space behind their defence on a counter-attack.

Striker Shannon received the ball on the right, facing away from goal and with a defender on her back. Somehow, she managed to get a quick reverse push shot away, which hit the far post and went in for a 2-1 lead.

But the Black Sticks’ joy was almost short-lived with the USA going close to an equaliser in the final quarter.

A turnover by New Zealand allowed Olivia Bent-Cole to receive the ball in the circle, take it on her reverse and smash a powerful tomahawk shot into the net.

But while the Americans celebrated, umpire Rachel Williams had spotted a back-stick by Bent-Cole and the video umpire duly ruled the effort out.

And New Zealand made the visitors pay a minute later when Cotter finished off a great team move to tap into an empty net.

Hull added a late fourth when she dispatched another penalty corner two minutes later to seal the three points for Darren Smith’s side.

The Black Sticks next match is against China at the same venue at 3pm on Sunday.