Hockey: Women's Black Sticks level series with Argentina

Sam Charlton of the Black Sticks.

New Zealand have levelled their six-game series with Argentina after a 3-2 victory in game three in Mar del Plata today.

Having had a 2-2 draw and a 1-0 loss, the women's Black Sticks squared the ledger with three games remaining courtesy of a deflection by Kirsten Pearce in the final minute.

The fourth-ranked New Zealanders were 1-0 and 2-1 up in the match against the world's second best nation, before Pearce's late strike.

Petrea Webster and Sophie Cocks got the earlier New Zealand goals.

''We haven't won a game like this for a while, particularly against a top team, so it's quite pleasing," coach Mark Hager said.

''I thought our first half was very good tonight. In the second half they dominated a lot more than us. Our basics let us down and our structure.

''But there were pleasing signs throughout the game. It's good competition for places and that's one of the good headaches the selectors are having.

''So many players are putting up their hands for a place in Rio."

Game four in the six-game series is on Monday.