KEY POINTS:
There were no rewards for bravery when New Zealand suffered a 0-1 loss to the United States at the Champions Challenge international women's hockey tournament in Azerbaijan on Thursday.
The Black Sticks were seconds away from emerging with a meritorious draw before the US were awarded their ninth penalty corner of the match in Baku.
The previous eight had been dealt with by the New Zealanders, but this time April Fronzoni managed to beat goalkeeper Anita Wawatai with a deflection from the stroke of Rachel Dawson.
Following the horror show on Tuesday when New Zealand slumped to a humbling 1-8 loss to China, the Black Sticks at least showed their tenacity after defending for long stretches.
They did well to go into the halftime break on even terms at 0-0 after the United States forced six penalty corners in the first spell alone.
The Black Sticks held firm despite leaving themselves vulnerable with poor ball retention in the midfield, as well as the absence of influential defender Lizzy Igasan, ruled out of the six-nations event due to a broken finger.
Goalkeeper Wawatai -- in for Beth Jurgeleit, who had the misfortune to tend goal against China -- was kept extra busy and showed her class by repulsing three successive penalty corners midway through the spell when the Americans attempted three different variations from the set piece.
The United States could have scored as early as the third minute when a poor touch by the New Zealand defence gifted Fronzoni with a clear chance but she was unable to capitalise.
A strong shot by Fronzoni five minutes from the interval demanded an equally decisive save from Wawatai, who was again up to the challenge.
The Black Sticks were much more assertive in the second half when they began treasuring possession.
They exhibited better ball control and had periods when they showed control, patience and promise, although no clear shots on goal were forthcoming until late on.
They were awarded their first penalty corner with nine minutes remaining until fulltime but it was deflected by American goalkeeper Amy Tran.
They definitely should have scored one minute later after a fine cross into the circle by Caryn Paewai but Kim Noakes missed the ball completely when presented with a tap-in opportunity.
The Americans had to make do for five minutes without Rachel Dawson after umpire Dawn Henning, of England, issued a yellow card for deliberate use of the foot.
The Blacks Sticks could not make their numerical advantage count but their performance as a whole was light years removed from what they put in against China.
The result left New Zealand with a record of one win and three losses, ahead of their final round robin match on Saturday against Korea.
- NZPA
