The Black Sticks Women have drawn 3-3 with Germany in their second test in Berlin this morning, with Northland players Charlotte Harrison and Ella Gunson scoring the goals. Black Sticks Women’s coach Mark Hager commended the team for a strong performance.
“It was a real team grind today – a gutsy performance from all players, they just don’t give up. Everyone is improving as each game goes on,” says Hager.
Germany started the game well, scoring two field goals in the 11th and 18th minute.
“These goals slipped through due to poor marking in the circle area. Having said that, we created enough chances to score early on, but we just couldn’t get it away. There were a couple of great opportunities to score which we just didn’t make the most of,” says Hager.
Having scored a goal in yesterday’s game, Charlotte Harrison scored in the 26th minute from a penalty corner variation. The score was 2-1 to Germany at half time.
In the 62nd minute, Ella Gunson scored from another penalty corner variation. But it did not take long for Germany to counter attack, and in the 68th minute they scored a field goal.
But there was no stopping the Black Sticks. Two minutes later Charlotte Harrison scored her second goal of the game after Krystal Forgesson did a superb pass into the circle and Harrison dived to deflect it in. It was thanks to a fantastic penalty corner save from Black Sticks goal keeper Sally Rutherford in the 69th minute that the game ended in a draw at 3-3.
Co-captain Kayla Sharland came off the field with 20 minutes to go due to a niggle with her hamstring and goal keeper Bianca Russell has a suspected calf injury.
“We will get them both checked out tomorrow, and will evaluate how serious it is and what measures need to be taken,” says Hager.
The Black Sticks now travel to Den Haag and will play their first of three practice games against China at 1am (NZ Time) on Thursday 16th June. They will then play one practice game against Holland and another against Korea before the Champions Trophy starts on the 26 June.
Source: Hockey New Zealand
