Hockey: American wins kill ambition for series victory

New Zealand's women's team can do no better than square their test series against the United States after losing the second test 3-1 in Oamaru yesterday.

The United States scored goals either side of halftime to press home their advantage after going 1-0 up in the 10th minute.

The tourists won the first match in the four-test series 4-1 in Dunedin on Saturday.

All three goals of the American goals came from penalty corners, as did the solitary New Zealand goal, driven home by Wellington forward Niniwa Roberts-Lang 15 minutes into the second half.

New Zealand started well, with Jaimee Proven making several surging runs into the opposition circle. She nearly put her team ahead but United States goalkeeper Peggy Storrar blocked her shot.

The United States defended well throughout the game and cut out numerous New Zealand opportunities.

The first goal came against the run of play after the visitors were awarded their first penalty corner.

A direct shot was well blocked by New Zealand goalkeeper Anne-Maree Irving, who started ahead of regular goalkeeper Helen Clarke, but rebounded into the path of forward Keli Smith, who dribbled the ball into the goal.

The tourists went 2-0 up on the stroke of halftime after yet another penalty corner. Captain Tracey Fuchs cleverly faked a shot, then passed to Smith, who in turn found Carla Tagliente, who found the back of the net.

New Zealand soon found themselves three down down after Fuchs again found Tagliente from a penalty corner and Tagliente scored.

The hosts struck back soon after, but there was to be no fairytale comeback.

New Zealand were well served by Wellington midfielder Rachel Sutherland, while Caryn Paewai battled away against a stubborn United States defence.

New Zealand coach Jan Borren believed his side played better than they did in their first test defeat.

"We've got progress to make. We knew that before the series.

"This is good for us in terms of development, but it's still disappointing to lose two in a row on the weekend," Borren said.

The third test is in Ashburton on Wednesday and the fourth is in Christchurch this Saturday.

- NZPA