Encouraging signs as Hockeyroos open series with draw

In their first match in almost 15 months, the Hockeyroos have played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with New Zealand in Palmerston North.

On a night when Courtney Schonell and Meg Pearce made their Hockeyroos debuts, Rosie Malone was the one on the score sheet as she put Australia in front late in the first half.

But in a game that saw the momentum shift time and again, Olivia Shannon hit back for the Blacksticks in the 48th minute to tie things up.

The hosts stormed out of the blocks to put the Hockeyroos on the back foot for large parts of the first quarter.

The quarter time break seemed to settle the Hockeyroos nerves and they started to enjoy more time in possession and ask questions of the Blacksticks defence.

Having soaked up the early New Zealand pressure, the breakthrough deservedly came for the Hockeyroos when Malone found herself with time and space in the attacking circle.

She confidently picked her spot and hammered her shot past New Zealand keeper Grace O’Hanlon.

The Hockeyroos survived some late penalty corners to hold onto their advantage going into half time.

Julia King missed a guilt edged chance early in the second half to draw the Blacksticks level before Hockeyroos goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram, who replaced Rachael Lynch at half time, was forced to make a sharp save.

But Bartram could do little about Shannon’s superb glancing flick that made it 1-1 with 12 minutes remaining.

Steph Kershaw was doing her best to drive the Hockeyroos as they went in search of a winner, her impressive run ending with Jane Claxton but she could not get enough power behind her shot to trouble O’Hanlon.

A yellow card to Kershaw gave the home side a one player advantage with 40 seconds to go but the Hockeyroos defence, led stoutly by Edwina Bone held firm.

Schonell was particularly impressive on debut, while the cohesion between the players in green and gold improved the longer the game went on.

“It was a bit of a shaky start,” said Claxton who was the appointed captain on the night.

“We had a few fresh faces and everyone shaking out the nerves but we’ll be better for it tomorrow.”

The teams will return for Match 2 at the same time tomorrow before a rest day on Saturday.

Match Details
Hockeyroos 1 (Malone 26’)
New Zealand 1 (Shannon 48’)
@ Massey University Turf

Hockeyroos: 1.Sophie Taylor, 2.Rosie Malone, 3.Brooke Peris, 8.Georgia Wilson, 11.Meg Pearce, 12.Greta Hayes, 13.Edwina Bone, 14.Stephanie Kershaw, 16.Courtney Schonell, 18.Jane Claxton (c), 19.Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 20.Karri Somerville, 22.Kate Jenner, 23.Kalindi Commerford, 26.Emily Chalker, 27.Rachael Lynch (gk), 31.Laura Barden, 32.Savannah Fitzpatrick

New Zealand: 1.Tarryn Davey, 2.Olivia Shannon, 4.Olivia Merry, 5.Frances Davies, 7.Kayla Whitelock, 13.Samantha Charlton, 15.Grace O’Hanlon (gk), 16.Liz Thompson, 17.Steph Dickins, 20.Megan Hull, 22.Katie Doar, 24.Rose Keddell, 25.Kelsey Smith, 27.Holly Pearson, 31.Stacey Michelsen (c), 33.Julia King, 34.Hope Ralph
Unused Substitutes: 42.Georgia Barnett (gk)