The Black Sticks Women’s second practice match against China was a chance to test combinations – broken into three twenty minute thirds, both sides continuously rotated players, ensuring that their top line up was not exposed for long periods.
The score was 0-0 at full time with China, world ranked fourth, being awarded six penalty corners throughout the game but not being able to convert them.
“Some of our basic skills today were poor, but the pleasing factor was that our defence was tight and there were some good penalty corner saves,” says Black Sticks Women’s coach Mark Hager.
The same game format will be used for the final practice game against China at 11.30pm (NZ time) on Saturday 18 June.
Injured goal keeper Bianca Russell and Co-captain Kayla Sharland are continuing to recover. They both completed light training sessions, but did not play in today’s game.
Goal keeper Amelia Gibson departed Christchurch this week and has now joined the team in Europe to help take the load off Sally Rutherford who was the only remaining goal keeper. Gibson played one of the thirds in today’s game.
“Due to the specialist nature of the goal keeping position, and the fact that we still had four practice games left till the start of the Champions Trophy, we decided that another goal keeper should be brought into the squad,” says Hager.
A decision on whether Gibson will replace Russell in the Champions Trophy team will be made next week.
In the team’s down time, Ella Gunson, Gemma Flynn and Stacey Michelsen are studying as they each have an exam to sit over the next week. Michelsen who is doing law and commerce at The University of Auckland, and currently has an average of A-, will sit her management exam remotely at the Open University in Den Haag tomorrow.
Hockey New Zealand Media Release
