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All the news for Monday 17 October 2016

FIH Hero World Rankings updated following Hockey World League Round 1

Following the conclusion of Hockey World League Round 1, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has released the latest update to the FIH Hero World Rankings.

In the men’s FIH Hero World Rankings, the top twenty positions remain unchanged from the update that followed the conclusion of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with Australia sitting at the top of the standings ahead of Olympic champions Argentina. However, there have been some significant movements elsewhere thanks to some fine performances at the numerous Hockey World League Round 1 events.

USA, Wales, Austria and Ukraine were all winners of Hockey World League Round 1 events and have found themselves on the move. Victory for the Americans in Salamanca resulted in a two place climb up to 27th, with Wales also moving up two places from 36th to 34th thanks to their excellent competition victory in Glasgow.

Austria and Ukraine, the respective winners of the events in Antalya and Prague, both climbed one place, with Austria up to 21st and Ukraine moving into 26th position.

Chile (winners in Chiclayo) and Ghana (winners in Accra) remained at 25th and 43rd respectively.

There have been some fairly dramatic moves further down the table, with Fiji rocketing up 16 places from 67th to 51st. There were also impressive climbs from Barbados (54th to 48th), Thailand (64th to 58th), Papua New Guinea (71st to 65th) and Kazakhstan (76th to 67th).

Thanks to their participation in the Hockey World League, five teams picked up their first ever ranking points: Brunei, Myanmar, Vietnam, Solomon Islands and Tonga. There are now 89 men’s teams with an official FIH Hero World Ranking, the highest number in the sport’s history.

Like the men’s rankings, the top twenty of the women’s FIH Hero World Rankings also stay as they were in the immediate aftermath of Rio 2016, with the Netherlands remaining in first place just ahead of England, who benefitted from Great Britain’s stunning Olympic gold medal success in Brazil over the summer.

The winning teams of the Hockey World League Round 1 events that have taken place since the last rankings update have all moved up the table, aside from Czech Republic, winners in Prague, who remain in 26th position.

Chiclayo champions Uruguay have moved up one place to 22nd, leapfrogging South American rivals Chile, who finished behind the Uruguayans at the event in Peru.

Douai champions Russia also stepped up one place to 27th, with Accra winners Ghana doing the same to reach 28th position. Mexico and Thailand, the respective winners of the Hockey World League Round 1 competitions in Salamanca and Singapore, enjoyed notable climbs up the table, with Mexico moving three places to 30th and Thailand progressing from 35th to 31st. 

As in the men’s rankings, Fiji were the biggest climbers, moving up from 59th to 46th, although they were not the only team to make significant gains. Sri Lanka climbed from 47th to 44th, Paraguay moved from up five places to 49th while Papua New Guinea claimed 56th position, up four places from 60th.

Brunei, Cambodia, Solomon Islands and Tonga all earned their first FIH Hero World Ranking points in Hockey World League Round 1, meaning that, like the men’s rankings table, the women’s chart now contains a record number of ranked nations with 72. The drive to raise the status and popularity of hockey is a central theme of the Hockey Revolution, which aims to reach the ambition for the sport to become a global game that inspires the next generation.

The next update to the FIH Hero World Rankings will be published following the completion of the Hockey World League Round 2 events in 2017. For a complete guide to the FIH Hero World Rankings, click here.

FIH site

Fuchs plays key role for Bloemendaal



Bloemendaal made a major statement of intent in the Dutch Hoofdklasse as they got one over on Oranje Rood, winning out 4-1 to extend their perfect start to the season.

It owed much a stunning last 10 minutes, scoring three times through Thierry Brinkman, Blake Govers and Roel Bovendeert. Florian Fuchs had broke the deadlock with a ninth minute goal for the sparrows before OR’s Bob de Voogd levelled the game.

For Bloemendaal coach Michel van den Heuvel, he told hockey.nl that Florian Fuchs – who also had an assist in the 2-1 goal – is playing on an elevated level.

"Florian just looks so nonchalant. It seems like he has glue on his stick,” the coach said. “In such big games as this afternoon, it’s when you see your big players. With us, you saw Florian bring the power that was needed.That's real class. Toppers need pressure to rise above themselves."

Bloemendaal top the table on 18 points, three clear of Amsterdam who beat Pinoke 4-2 thanks to a Justin Reid-Ross hat trick.

Oranje Rood are in fourth place with Den Bosch still in third despite a 5-3 loss to Kampong. The Utrecht side share fourth spot with Oranje Rood and HGC, 2-0 winners against Tilburg.

Euro Hockey League media release

Murray rescues draw but Lisnagarvey’s winning streak ends



Lisnagarvey’s long-running winning streak in the Irish EY Hockey League came to an end as they tied 1-1 with Three Rock Rovers on day four of the competition.

The Comber Road club are one of two Irish clubs set for the EHL KO16 next Easter in Eindhoven and have been in superb form in the last two seasons.

They had won 19 successive league games – as well as two EYHL playoff games – but found their streak ended when Conor Empey put Three Rock 1-0 up with five minutes to go.

Sean Murray equalised soon after, however, to earn Garvey a draw and remain unbeaten and in a share of first place at this early stage in the season.

Elsewhere, Banbridge fought back three times to draw 3-3 with Monkstown as they look to back up their heroics at EHL ROUND1 with a sustained push to return to the competition.

They fell behind to a Sam Hyland goal early on before Eugene Magee levelled from a corner. Karl Smith put the Dublin side ahead for a second time before Jamie Wright popped home another equaliser for 2-2.

Irish Olympian Kyle Good put Monkstown ahead once again with 11 minutes to go but Matthew Bell converted a penalty stroke to record the draw from a high quality tie.

The result ended Monkstown’s perfect start to the season and they share first place with Lisnagarvey at the top of the table. Cork C of I are third following their third successive victory, beating Railway Union 6-2, moving ahead of fourth place Banbridge.

Euro Hockey League media release

Wimbledon making push for top in England



EHL KO16 side Wimbledon briefly moved to the top of the English Premier Division table following their 3-3 draw at home to Surbiton on Saturday.

Simon Mantell scored two and Ian Sloan was also on the scoresheet for the hosts, but goals from Liam Ansell, Dave Beckett and David Goodfield earned Surbiton a point. The result lifted them above Beeston overnight but the Nottingham side bounced back on Sunday with a 5-2 win over Canterbury.

Mark Gleghorne once again starred for the hosts, scoring a hat trick to take his season tally to 11 goals, with Richard Lawrence and Ollie Willars also on target. Craig Boyne scored twice for Canterbury who are bottom of the table after five games.

The leaders going into the weekend were Hampstead and Westminster, but they went down 3-1 at Holcombe on Saturday evening.

Nicholas Bandurak, Richard Lane and Sam Ward all scored for Holcombe to give them the points, after Michael Watt had tied the game for the visitors. They sit in fifth place with a game in hand.

In the Conference West, Cardiff and Met backed up their solid EHL ROUND1 performance as they preserved their 100 per cent start to the season with a 5-2 win at Old Georgians, with Luke Hawker scoring two.

Euro Hockey League media release

Gleghorne goals help Beeston go top


Mark Gleghorne celebrating a goal against Canterbury. Credit: David Kissman.

Beeston moved to the top of the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division table after a 5-2 home win over Canterbury on Sunday.

Mark Gleghorne once again starred for the hosts, scoring a hat trick to take his season tally to 11 goals, with Richard Lawrence and Ollie Willars also on target.

Craig Boyne scored twice for Canterbury who are bottom of the table after five games.

A strong second half display from East Grinstead saw them take all three points in a 5-1 home victory over Loughborough Students.

Tom Crowson had given the visitors a first half lead, but two goals for Ashley Jackson and one apiece for Andy Piper, David Condon and Tendo Kimuli gave the hosts a comfortable win.

Ben Boon scored a hat trick for Reading as they ran out 4-1 winners at Brooklands MU.

James Carson was also on the scoresheet for Reading, after Dave Flanagan had levelled for the hosts.

The leaders going into the weekend were Hampstead and Westminster, but they went down 3-1 at Holcombe on Saturday evening.

Nicholas Bandurak, Richard Lane and Sam Ward all scored for Holcombe to give them the points, after Michael Watt had tied the game for the visitors.

Wimbledon briefly topped the table on Saturday, despite being held to a 3-3 draw at home to Surbiton.

Simon Mantell scored two and Ian Sloan was also on the scoresheet for the hosts, but goals from Liam Ansell, Dave Beckett and David Goodfield earned Surbiton a point.

Men’s Conference West

The University of Exeter stayed top of the Men’s Conference West after a 4-0 win at home to Fareham.

Conor Caplan scored twice, with Edward Matts and Ben Stevenson also on target to give the hosts their fifth win in a row.

Cardiff and Met also preserved their 100 per cent start to the season with a 5-2 win at Old Georgians, with Luke Hawker scoring two.

Peter Scott netted a hat trick and Ben Mackey a brace as Team Bath Buccaneers beat Chichester 8-1.

Elsewhere, Josh Kelly and Tom Poustie both scored two to help the University of Birmingham beat Isca 6-1, whilst the University of Bristol beat Cheltenham 3-2 to earn their first points of the campaign.

Men’s Conference North

The University of Durham preserved the Men’s Conference North’s only 100 per cent record with a 5-3 win at home to Bowdon.

Luke Hudson, Ben Mcgeogh and Angus Spittles were amongst the scorers who are three points clear at the top of the table.

James Gunthorpe scored in the last minute to give Doncaster a 2-1 victory over South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Hallam.

Preston, who went into the weekend in second place, were beaten 4-1 at Cannock for whom Christopher Darnley scored twice.

Elsewhere, Olton & West Warwicks moved third after a 4-2 victory at home to Oxton, whilst Leek remain without a point this season after a 4-2 home defeat against Deeside Ramblers.

Men’s Conference East

Tejinder Hanspal scored a hat trick to help send Sevenoaks top of the Conference West after a 7-2 win at Oxted.

David Smith scored two, with Duncan Parnis and Mike Barber on target to maintain Sevenoaks perfect start to the season.

Southgate lost top spot on goal difference, but also preserved their 100 per cent start to the season after a 3-2 win over Wapping, helped by two goals for John Sterlini.

Simon Cox and Marcus Howard were amongst the scorers for Richmond, as they remained unbeaten after a 4-2 win at West Herts.

Cambridge City took the points in a 10-goal thriller, a 6-4 win away at Brighton and Hove. Euan Gilmour scored a hat trick and Marshall Roberts got two for the away side, with Joe Naughalty scoring a brace for the hosts.

Matt Daly converted a hat trick of penalty corners to lift Teddington to a 5-1 win at Indian Gymkhana.

Men’s Hockey League (Saturday, October 15 2016):

Men's Premier Division: Holcombe 3, Hampstead and Westminster 1; Wimbledon 3, Surbiton 3.

Men's Conference East: Southgate 3, Wapping 2.

Men’s Hockey League (Sunday, October 16 2016):

Men's Premier Division: Beeston 5, Canterbury 2; Brooklands MU 1, Reading 4; East Grinstead 5, Loughborough Students 1.

Men's Conference East: Brighton and Hove 4, Cambridge City 6; Indian Gymkhana 1, Teddington 5; Oxted 2, Sevenoaks 7; West Herts 2, Richmond 4.

Men's Conference North: Cannock 4, Preston 1; Doncaster 2, Sheffield Hallam 1; Leek 2, Deeside Ramblers 4; Olton & West Warwicks 4, Oxton 2; University of Durham 5, Bowdon 3.

Men's Conference West: Old Georgians 2, Cardiff & Met 5; Team Bath Buccaneers 8, Chichester 1; University of Birmingham 6, Isca 1; University of Bristol 3, Cheltenham 2; University of Exeter 4, Fareham 0.

England Hockey Board Media release

Irish Men's EY Hockey League Round Up



Lisnagarvey’s long winning streak in the men’s EY Hockey League was brought to an end by Three Rock Rovers but it might have been even worse for them but for Sean Murray’s late equaliser.

Garvey had won their last 19 regular season games – in addition to two playoff games last term – in succession but found Rovers a tricky foe. After a relatively chanceless first three quarters, the final 17 minutes was wide open and Conor Empey put the Dubliners in front with just four minutes to go from a swift counter-attack.

But the champions replied quickly with Sean Murray scoring soon after to nick a draw, extending their unbeaten run to over a year.

On Sunday, meanwhile, Banbridge got back to the bread and butter of domestic hockey with a thrill-a-minute 3-3 draw against Monkstown at Havelock Park.

A fractious first half ended 1-1 with Eugene Magee cancelling out Sam Hyland’s early goal. After the break, the tie was of a superb quality with numerous good moves. Karl Smith scored one of the goals of the season with a diving backhand shot only for Jamie Wright to level at 2-2.

Kyle Good put Town in front for a third time before Matthew Bell equalised with five minutes to go from the penalty spot.

Those results mean both Garvey and Town’s perfect starts to the season have come to an end, leaving them on 10 points with Cork C of I up to third thanks to their 6-2 thumping of Railway Union. They did so in spite of John Jermyn’s red card.

He scored twice along with Stephen Sweetnam while Mark English returned to the Railway ranks with a double of his own.

At the bottom, UCD got their first ever win in the EYHL with a 3-2 success against Instonians. The students built a 3-0 lead by the end of the third quarter thanks to a couple of glorious goals from Jeremy Duncan, augmented by an effort from Andy Keane.

Inst got two back in the closing minutes from James Corry and Mark Irwin but too late to affect the outcome.

Pembroke nicked an important win over Glenanne 2-1 to rise to fifth. The Glens welcomed back Olympian Shane O’Donoghue for the first time in over two years but he could not turn the tide as Alan Sothern scored a double before Stephen Brownlow got one back for the Tallaght side. The Glens, like Inst, still await their first win of the campaign.
 
Men
EY Hockey League
Saturday: Railway Union 2 (M English 2) Cork C of I 6 (J Jermyn 2, S Sweetnam 2, S Parker, J Dale); Glenanne 1 (S Brownlow) Pembroke 2 (A Sothern 2); UCD 3 (J Duncan 2, A Keane) Instonians 2 (J Corry, M Irwin); Lisnagarvey 1 (S Murray) Three Rock Rovers 1 (C Empey)
Sunday: Banbridge 3 (E Magee, J Wright, M Bell) Monkstown 3 (S Hyland, K Smith, K Good)
 
Day four – extended reports.

Railway Union 2 (M English 2) Cork C of I 6 (S Sweetnam 2, J Jermyn 2, J Dale, S Parker)
Cork C of I ran up another big scoreline on Railway Union, adding to their recent 8-1 demolition of UCD, to maintain their place in the top four of the EY Hockey League table.
They did so in spite of captain John Jermyn being shown a red card against a Railway side who welcomed back Fergal Keaveney and Mark English from Australia while Kenny Carroll also returned.

And the Park Avenue side opened brightly and had the best of the first 10 minutes, forcing two short corners without success. C of I came into the game in the later part of the first quarter and, from one of their attacks down the left flank, opened an opportunity for Stephen Sweetnam to score a reverse stick, latching on to a loose ball.

One became two in the second quarter from turnover ball with Stephen Parker slapping into the roof of the net. C of I were beginning to dominate in midfield and their pressure led to a penalty stroke, given for a deliberate back-stick in the circle, which Jermyn put away.

Railway did get one back with their first meaningful attack of the second quarter with English scoring a low drag-flick into the corner for 3-1 at the break. They got further into the tie in the third quarter with Richard Forrest’s left post shot going across the face of goal before English scored again from a corner.

English has a chance to level when one-on-one before the Cork side whisked the tie out of reach. They scored following a short corner save by Alex Henry – debuting in goal – with Jermyn finishing off after a neat reverse stick cross.

Moments later, the Olympian picked up his first yellow card for a bad tackle to break up a Railway attack. Nonetheless, C of I continued to push on and were 5-2 ahead via Sweetnam’s second goal, a low drag-flick.

Jermyn returned to the fray only to pick up another yellow card, and subsequent red, for another late tackle. But C of I continued to aggressively pounce on Railway loose ball, Julian Dale scoring on 66 minutes to complete the rout.
 
UCD 3 (J Duncan 2, A Keane) Instonians 2 (J Corry, M Irwin)
Jeremy Duncan inspired UCD to their first win since promotion to the EY Hockey League as they condemned fellow league newcomers Instonians to their fourth loss of the campaign.
The Kilkenny native got his side in front with a lovely solo effort in the second quarter, picking up the ball on the left, travelling along the baseline before flicking into the roof of the net.

Ben Campbell deflected onto the post from a corner as Inst soaked up a lot of pressure but kept it at 1-0 by half-time. Duncan made it 2-0 when he took in a pass from Ziggy de Boe Agnew – who transferred from Monkstown in midweek to UCD – and reversed into the bottom corner.

It was 3-0 when Campbell picked out Aaron Bailey at the top of the circle and he slipped the ball to Andy Keane for his first EYHL goal – all three played last season with YMCA.

Inst summoned a big comeback in the closing quarter with James Corry getting one back with five minutes to go before Mark Irwin reduced the gap further but UCD were too far out in front to land their win.
 
Glenanne 1 (S Brownlow) Pembroke 2 (A Sothern 2)
Alan Sothern’s double provided Pembroke with an important win over a Glenanne side who welcomed back Shane O’Donoghue, Stephen Brownlow and Joe Brennan to the fold.

The win lifts Pembroke into the top half of the table when the Glens remain without a win from four games this term, falling to a third Leinster rival. The first quarter was a close-run affair with Glenanne holding much possession with Pembroke looking to counter.

From a broken down corner, the visitors saw a shot hit a body on the line and Sothern stepped up to convert from the penalty spot. A further exchange of corners yielded no dividend for either side.

Mick O’Connor – another player returning to action – almost unlocked the door for Maurice Elliott while Glenanne went close to levelling before the break.

Glenanne came out second half with more purpose and managed to penetrate the Pembroke circle on numerous occasions with no outcome. Harry Spain was playing well in sweeper role for Pembroke.  
 
However, Glenanne got a lifeline when they were awarded a stroke. David Keogh struck the post and Pembroke retained their lead. As Glenanne pushed for the equaliser, Pembroke looked dangerous on the counter attack and when Sothern got free at the top of the circle a tough challenge resulted in another stroke for the D4 side.
 
He scored from the spot for the second time. Glenanne pulled themselves back into the game soon after with a drag flick from Stephen Brownlow.
 
In the closing quarter, Glenanne were dominant as they looked to get back on terms while Pembroke saw a number of cards – Kirk Shimmins seeing a green and yellow in the last phases. Their pressure yielded a number of penalty corners all of which were blocked by Mark Ingram.

Lisnagarvey 1 (S Murray) Three Rock Rovers 1 (C Empey)
Lisnagarvey’s long winning run in the EY Hockey League – encompassing 19 victories in the regular season and two games in the Champions Trophy – came to an end as they drew 1-1 with Three Rock Rovers.
 
It was tight throughout with few chances and the play being confined to the midfield quarter. A few half chances fell for both sides but no one was able to convert.
 
The match pattern continued with Jody Hosking missing the target after a good steal high up the pitch. James Milliken made two excellent saves from Three Rock short corners. Sean Murray also missed a great chance for Garvey with Daniel Nelson also having a couple of hard reverse strikes on goal.
 
Garvey had much more of the possession in the third quarter but struggled to fashion clear openings. The goalkeepers were rarely troubled with a dogged midfield battle.
 
The tie reached a higher tempo in the closing quarter with both sides pursuing the win. Conor Empey scored for the visitors with only four minutes left, putting Three Rock in a great position.
 
Garvey immediately pressed extremely hard and, with barely a minute remaining, Sean Murray popped up at the vital moment to score. Garvey also had a chance on the final hooter with another corner but it came to nothing.
 
Banbridge 3 (E Magee, J Wright, M Bell) Monkstown 3 (S Hyland, K Smith, K Good)
Banbridge came back three times from a goal deficit to draw 3-3 with Monkstown as they got back to the regular domestic business after their Euro Hockey League heroics a week ago.

The first half was a tetchy affair with plenty of niggle and some ragged hockey at times. Sam Hyland spun on a shot to give Town the lead, profiting from a mistake between the two Bann centre backs, but Eugene Magee levelled on the half-time when he flicked in from a penalty corner switch-flick.

The second half, meanwhile, was a glorious affair for the neutral with the game flowing from end to end and a series of beautiful goals. Indeed, there will not be too many better than Karl Smith’s effort for 2-1. Gareth Watkins’ first time round the corner pass set Andrew Ward galloping before he cut inside and laid on an enticing ball to Smith who dove at full stretch on his backhand to reverse home.

Jonny McKee and Jamie Wright’s interchange on the left baseline tied it up at 2-2 before Kyle Good’s master-blaster from the circle’s edge got Town back in front for a third time.

Bann kept pushing, though, and won a stroke with five minutes to go which Matthew Bell stepped up to convert for 3-3. Both sides stay unbeaten with Monkstown’s perfect start to the season breached for the first time.

Irish Hockey Association media release

Railway dash Elks’ hope of defending Cup

Leinster side defeat champions 7-0 at Jordanstown

Mary Hannigan


Railway Union’s Emma Smyth and Emma Lindsay of Lurgan. Photograph: Rowland White/ INPHO/Presseye

Ulster Elks’ hopes of defending the Irish Senior Cup they had won for the past two seasons were ended in emphatic style at the first hurdle by Railway Union on Saturday, the Leinster side handing out a 7-0 drubbing to the champions at Jordanstown.

While Elks have lost the bulk of the squad that beat Ards on strokes in last year’s final and got the better of Hermes the year before, they would still have expected to put up a better show on home turf. Two goals apiece, though, from Niamh Carey and Emma Smyth, with Cecelia Joyce, Sinead Dooley and Zara Delany also contributing, saw Railway cruise to victory.

But that wasn’t even the biggest win of the first round, that honour going to UCD who crushed Old Alexandra 9-0 at Belfield, Katie Mullan scoring a hat-trick.

Ards, too, were big winners, hat-tricks from Chloe Brown and Lucy McKee giving them a 6-1 win over Muckross, while a Chloe Watkins double helped Hermes- Monkstown to a 5-0 defeat of Corinthian.

The Irish Times

Kenya Police seal playoff slot

By BRIAN YONGA


Felix Mochama of KCA University (left) vies for the ball with Kennedy Siblieche (right) of Kenya Police during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier league match at City Park Hockey Stadium on October 9, 2016. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Former champions Kenya Police sealed a place in this season’s Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier league play-offs after a 2-0 win over Greensharks on Saturday night at City Park Stadium.

Second-half goals from Captain Brian Saina and Willis Okeyo confirmed Police’s place in the knockout stages.

The win also sees them top Pool ‘B’ with 13 points, dislodging Sharks, who have already qualified for the play-offs, from top spot. Police coach Kenneth Kaunda lauded his charges for the impressive display, challenging them to maintain the same form in next month’s play-offs.

“We have achieved our first target of the season which was to make it to the next stage. We now need to start preparing for the next round because we will be up against tough sides,” Kaunda said. “We wanted the win more and my players fully deserved the win. Sharks were happy to sit back and defend and this made the game one-sided.”

The defeat was Sharks’ first of the season and they will now face champions Butali Sugar Warriors, who are posed to finish top of Pool ‘A’. Police will face the runners up of Pool ‘A’ in next month’s play-offs.

Police danger man Moses Cheplaiti should have put his side ahead in the 12th minute from a penalty corner but his shot was saved by Greensharks goalkeeper Elly Tangaza.

Police continued to press forward but Sharks defence stood firm.

After a scoreless first half, Saina broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, slamming home Willis Okeyo’s penalty corner. Okeyo added the second a minute to the final whistle, again finishing off another penalty corner.

“I think we were too casual in our approach and got punished for our lethargic play. We wanted to top the pool but we are still glad we are in the play-offs,” Sharks coach Ben Owaga said.

In Sunday’s matches, women’s champions Telkom Orange routed Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 12-0 at City Park Stadium, while Nakuru upset the 2012 champions Sikh Union Nairobi 1-0 at the Menengai High School in a men's top flight encounter.

International Audrey Omaido led Orange with four goals while Lilian Aura bagged a hattrick in the lop-sided encounter.

Jackline Mwangi scored a brace while Flavia Mutiva, Maureen Okumu and Barbara Simiyu netted once each. The 18-time league champions had on Saturday hammered Daystar Falcons 16-0 at the same venue.

Daily Nation

Terps field hockey earned at least a share of Big Ten title with 5-4 win over Penn State

By James Crabtree-Hannigan

Twice in the first half, the No. 6 Maryland field hockey team scored to take a lead over No. 5 Penn State. Twice, Penn State responded to tie the game.

The Terps took another lead early in the second half, the first of three straight goals before the Nittany Lions could score again. Penn State got within a goal, but Maryland held on for a 5-4 win to clinch at least a share of the Big Ten title.

"Obviously we knew the game was going to be a really tough match considering we're near each other in the rankings," defender Grace Balsdon said. "When we moved the ball around, the Penn State girls really couldn't handle it."

Despite being separated by one spot in the polls and entering the weekend tied at the top of the Big Ten, the Terps seemed as though they were going to cruise to a victory over the Nittany Lions.

Balsdon scored on a penalty stroke to give her team a three-goal lead, and Penn State had taken just four shots in the second half to that point.

"We were up 5-2 and you think you can hold the field," coach Missy Meharg said. "But we had people get really tired, we made some mistakes, and, oops, all of a sudden they're back in the game."

The Nittany Lions scored twice in less than two minutes to come within a goal with six minutes left, but the Terps held on. Penn State didn't take another shot after cutting the lead to one.

"It's about being smart and managing those last few minutes that could go against us," Balsdon said. "We just really starting thinking game management and take it as far away from our goal as possible."

Penn State had already proven itself capable of coming from behind. Against Iowa on Sept. 16, they trailed 3-0 before scoring four goals to win, 4-3. When the Terps earned a pair of one-goal leads in the first half Sunday, the Nittany Lions quickly found equalizers.

"That's just the energy of anything, isn't it? It's yin and yang," Meharg said. "If you scored a goal you better control it. And if you don't, you're going to get that against you."

Forward Welma Luus opened the scoring less than three minutes after the opening whistle. Balsdon hit the ball hard toward the circle, and it deflected off midfielder Linnea Gonzales' stick just before it got there.

That redirected the ball to Luus, who battled her defender to knock the ball out of the air in the middle of the circle. She immediately took a shot, beating the goalkeeper with a bouncing attempt to the bottom corner of the goal.

Penn State tied it up a little over a minute later when Nittany Lions midfielder Aurelia Meijer passed to teammate Brooke Birosik close to the net. Her one timer got past goalkeeper Sarah Holliday.

"That came from us being disorganized and not intense enough," Meharg said. "They took a quick free hit and the kid knocked it between Sarah Holliday's legs."

Maryland recaptured its lead in the 16th minute. Forward Emma Rissinger forced a turnover deep in Penn State territory and was taken down in the circle, earning the Terps their first corner of the game.

Balsdon took a shot off that corner that Penn State goalkeeper Jenna Rizzo saved, and she also saved forward Madison Maguire's rebound attempt. But when the ball went back to Maguire again, her second effort found the backboard. Penn State answered back with a goal in the 27th minute.

Coming out of haltime tied 2-2, forward Kelee Lepage got the Terps back on top quickly in the second half. She scored in the 42nd minute after receiving a pass from Luus at the post and sneaking it past Rizzo at point-blank range.

"I'm all about the first and last two minutes," Meharg said. "First and last minutes of the first and second half, first minutes after scoring goals."

After Luus' score in the second minute of the game, Penn State owned the next two minutes and Birosik capitalized by equalizing less than two minutes later. After Lepage's score, though, the Terps flipped the script.

Luus doubled Maryland's lead less than two minutes later after Lepage found the back of the net. Balsdon's score came in the 59th minute and seemed to cement a Terps victory.

Penn State scored a pair of goals in the 63rd and 64th minutes, respectively, to get itself back into it. After that, though, Maryland tightened its defense and did a "great job of stalling," Meharg said.

That helped the team earn a share of its third consecutive Big Ten title.

"We played our brand of hockey, even in the chaos," Luus said.

The Diamondback

Penn field hockey storms past Columbia, falls short at No. 8 Delaware

Quakers go down early in both weekend games, fail to finish comeback at Delaware

By Moses Nsereko


Although Penn field hockey split its weekend, junior attack Alexa Hoover shined throughout, scoring twice and logging an assist between the two games. Photo by Maddie Vaziri

Down an early goal, it seemed as though Penn field hockey would suffer another heart-wrenching loss to Columbia. Instead, the Quakers made a statement Friday afternoon for the rest of the Ivy League to hear.

The Red and Blue recorded an emphatic 4-1 win against the Lions over the weekend, before suffering a hard-fought loss Sunday to No. 8 Delaware in double overtime, 3-2.

The weekend got off to a rough start for Penn (9-4, 3-1 Ivy), as Columbia junior Maeve Daugherty scored in the eighth minute of the game. While the Quakers started the game with chances to score early, it was the Lions (6-7, 1-3) who were able to convert on their first opportunity.

“It definitely was against the run of play,” sophomore forward Sofia Palacios said. “We weren’t necessarily playing bad, and they weren’t having a ton of shots, so we knew we had the whole game in front of us to keep on going.”

Facing early adversity, the Quakers responded. Twelve minutes later, freshman forward Chelsea Duggan was able to sneak a pass from the end line to Palacios, who leveled the score of the game.

From that point, the Red and Blue, who managed seven shots on goal in the first half, began to deliver on their scoring opportunities.

Off a penalty corner in the 27th minute, junior Rachel Huang delivered a ball that allowed sophomore Paige Meily to set up freshman Alexa Schneck, who struck Penn’s second goal of the game. Senior Elise Tilton closed out the first half by scoring off another penalty corner, giving Penn a 3-1 lead.

Palacios spoke about the Quaker’s conversion rate on penalty corners.

“We definitely have been practicing shooting a lot,” she said. “Taking as many shots as possible and making the defense pay if they allow us to shoot.”

Besides the offensive display from the Quakers, an impressive defensive performance from Meily and junior back Jasmine Li limited the Lions to just three shots in the first half. The defensive carried on into the second half, as the Lions were unable to score for the rest of the game, despite managing eight shots on goal.

The lone score of the second half went to junior forward Alexa Hoover. Hoover managed to reroute a shot fired from junior midfielder Gina Guccione into the top left corner of the goal, solidifying what became the final 4-1 scoreline.

For Penn, this win redeemed a disappointing last four showings against Columbia – the Lions had secured overtime victories against the Red and Blue for four consecutive years.

“Going into Columbia, everyone talked about how we always lost and last year’s [game] was in double overtime and it was really tough for everyone,” Palacios said. “Getting that win and not going to overtime is such a relief.”

Coach Colleen Fink was particularly impressed with her team’s resilience.

“We’ve been talking about being present and having that mentality of a 0-0 game, whatever the score reflects,” Fink said. “We’ve done that really well the last two matches.”

The weekend did not end there for the Quakers. On Sunday, the team traveled to Newark, Del. to face the Blue Hens (13-2, 3-0 CAA). A win would bolster the Quakers’ chances of qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

It was not meant to be. At one point facing a two-point deficit, Huang delivered a late-game equalizer to send the game into overtime. But in the first minute of double overtime, Delaware sophomore Greta Nauck scored her second goal of the game to secure the 3-2 win.

Fink spoke about how her team can further improve.

“It’s been an ongoing theme about our baseline defense,” the seventh-year coach said. “There’s got to be a better mentality that the ball is not coming across.”

The Quakers will look to carry these two strong games into their matchup against Yale. And with the way that the Quakers performed this week, consider the rest of the Ivy League on notice.

The Daily Pennsylvanian

Kookaburras Team Announcement

Trans-Tasman & International Festival of Hockey

Holly MacNeil



The teams have been announced for the upcoming Kookaburras’ tour to the trans-Tasman series in Auckland, New Zealand as well as to the International Festival of Hockey in Melbourne, Victoria.

A team of 18 athletes has been selected for the inaugural trans-Tasman series, and will include Kookaburras debutants Scott Boyde, Ben Craig, Aaron Kleinschmidt and Kurt Mackey, along with the recall of Tim Cross to the team.

The International Festival of Hockey will see a squad of 25 athletes travel to Melbourne to compete against India, Malaysia and New Zealand in a four nations tournament, followed by a test series against India in Bendigo. Robert Bell will make his Kookaburras debut in Melbourne after showcasing impressive skills during the AHL.

Kookaburras Head Coach Paul Gaudoin said: “There is a clear focus on moving forward to the next four-year cycle as we look to develop a squad for Tokyo 2020. With many of our current athletes overseas or having time away from the high performance environment, this is the perfect and much needed time to look wider afield. 

“After a big year, we see these series as a chance to discover and expose some athletes who may not have had the opportunity in recent times as we look to increase the depth of our talent pool.

“We believe we have selected an exciting and highly capable athlete group, who will give us every chance of success across both series.”

The International Festival of Hockey will also see the return of Tristan White who was ruled out of Rio 2016 earlier this year after injuring his posterior cruciate ligament.

The trans-Tasman series will take place from November 17 – 20, with the International Festival of Hockey taking place in Melbourne from November 23 – 30.

Trans-Tasman Team
Athlete (Hometown/State)
Chris Bausor (Perth, WA)
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD)
Scott Boyde (Brisbane, QLD)
Tristan Clemons (Ferndale, WA)
Ben Craig (Lane Cove, NSW)
Tim Cross (South Morang, VIC)
Matthew Dawson (Killarney Valley, NSW)
Jeremy Edwards (Howrah, TAS)
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT)
Aaron Kleinschmidt (Melbourne, VIC)
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA)
Kurt Mackey (Hobart, TAS)
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA)
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW)
Jacob Whetton (Brisbane, QLD)
Matthew Willis (Tamworth, NSW)
Dylan Wotherspoon (Murwillumbah, NSW)
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA)

International Festival of Hockey
Athlete (Hometown/State)
Chris Bausor (Perth, WA)
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD)
Robert Bell (Brisbane, QLD)
Scott Boyde (Brisbane, QLD)
Andrew Charter (Canberra, ACT)
Tristan Clemons (Ferndale, WA)
Ben Craig (Lane Cove, NSW)
Tim Cross (South Morang, VIC)
Matthew Dawson (Killarney Valley, NSW)
Jeremy Edwards (Howrah, TAS)
Kieran Govers (Wollongong, NSW)
Casey Hammond (Bundoora, VIC)
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT)
Aaron Kleinschmit (Melbourne, VIC)
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA)
Kurt Mackey (Hobart, TAS)
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA)
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW)
Josh Pollard (Melbourne, VIC)
Jacob Whetton (Brisbane, QLD)
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW)
Tom Wickham (Morgan, SA)
Matthew Willis (Tamworth, NSW)
Dylan Wotherspoon (Murwillumbah, NSW)
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA)

Hockey Australia media release

National Men’s Head Coach



Hockey Australia is seeking to recruit a National Men’s Head Coach based in Perth to commence 1st January 2016.

The position of Head Coach of the Australian Men’s hockey team is a prestigious and highly valued position within international hockey. Hockey Australia seeks a proven ‘world class’ coach aspiring to ‘world best’ performance and sustained international success.  

See the position description for full details of the role.

All applications will be considered confidential and only viewed by the Chief Executive.

If you wish to discuss this position you may contact the Chief Executive at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How to Apply

If you wish to apply for this position:
Applications close: Monday 24 October (5.00pm AEDT). Candidates successful for an interview will be contacted within 7 days of applications closing If you wish to apply for this position:

• Submit a CV of no more than 5 pages
• Separately address in no more than 500 words, your experience and achievements against the position description
• Submit your application containing the above directly to  Cam Vale via Apply Online

Unless specified in the job description, you must have the right to live and work in this location to apply for this job.

Hockey Australia media release

Women's ACT: Tough for Dharmaraj's charges

by Jugjet Singh

MALAYSIA will utilise the women's Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Singapore on Oct 29-Nov 5 as a training base for the World League Round Two.

Kuala Lumpur will host the World League Round Two on Jan 14-22, and its a chance for coach K. Dharmaraj's charges to make an attempt to play in the World Cup in 2018.

For the ACT, World No 21 Malaysia will face uphill battles against higher ranked teams China (eighth), Japan (10th), South Korea (ninth) and India (12th).

Dharmaraj knows the score in the ACT, and even though the statistics looks bad, the Malaysian girls only need to beat one team for a chance to play in the third-fourth medal match.

"All the teams are much higher ranked than our women and it will be a tough tournament but good in the sense that it will prepare us for the World League Round Two in Singapore," said Dharmaraj.

The 18 who competed in the Australian Hockey League in Perth and finished seventh out of 10 teams are in the running for the ACT, together with trainee Inspectors Farah Ayuni Yahya and Noor Hasliza Ali.

"Farah and Hasliza could not go to Peth because they had Inspector training at Pulapol, but have been released to play in the ACT in Singapore.

"Their presence will inject experience into the team and I am expecting them to give all the higher ranked teams a tough fight," said Dharmaraj.

The women's ACT was last held in 2013, and Malaysia claimed the bronze by beating China 3-1.

And for the World League Round Two, in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 14-22, Malaysia will battle for a slot in the World League Semi-finals and a shot at the 2018 World Cup against Ireland, Italy, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Fiji and Wales.

"With all teams advancing to the quarter-finals of the World League, I believe we have a good chance of advancing, to the World league Semi-finals," said Dharmaraj.

For the record, the Malaysia women have yet to break past Round Two of the World League.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey

ACT: Faizal in, injured Baljit out

by Jugjet Singh

THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) will announce their squad for the Asian Champions Trophy only on Monday, but among those who have cemented their spot is troubled striker Faizal Shaari.

The ACT will be held in Kuantan on Oct 20-30, and Faizal's performance in the Malaysia Hockey League where he played for double champions Terengganu Hockey Team and also the Australian Hockey League (AHL) has earned him a ticket back into the national outfit.

He was dropped from the national team after failing to show up for training without a valid reason in December last year, and after completing his six months ban, he was placed in the national back-up squad and played in the AHL recently.

National coach Stephen van Huizen was impressed with his performance and he will play against Pakistan, India, South Korea, China and Japan in Kuantan.

In Perth, Faizal scored five goals but still, the back-up squad ended 11th among 12 teams in the AHL.

There was more good news when inspector trainees Razie Rahim and Nabil Fiqri were released by Pulapol to play in the ACT. Razie is the nations top penalty corner flicker while Nabil is a pillar in midfield.

Both of them did not play in the AHL, and the Malaysian national side finished sixth out of 12 teams.

But van Huizen will not have Baljit Singh, among his best defenders, as he picked up a hamstring injury while skippering the back-up squad in Perth.

The others who will surely be named on Monday are goalkeeper S. Kumar, Joel Samuel van Huizen, Fitri Shari, Shukri Mutalib and Shahril Saabah.

Three juniors were given the chance to play for the national team in the AHL, but only Najmi Farizal and Nik Aiman Rozemi impressed, while former juniors skipper Najib Hassan's form dropped and he will not be on the ACT list. Najib will be released to play in the Sultan of Johor Cup instead.

The ACT will offer International Hockey Federation (FIH) ranking points for the first time in its Fourth Edition and Malaysia must play in the final to maximise the effect leading to the World League Round Two in Trinidad and Tobago on March 25 to April 2.

The World League will confirm teams for the 2018 World Cup.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey

Faizal set for national team return in Asian Champions Trophy

by S.Ramaguru



KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu forward Faizal Saari looks set to reclaim his place in the men’s national hockey team for the QNET Asian Champions Trophy, which begins in Kuantan on Thursday.

The 24-year-old, who was suspended for six months by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) in November last year for his failure to turn up for training, is likely to be included in the final 18-man squad.

Faizal got the big break last month when he was included as an attachment player in coach Wallace Tan’s national development squad. The team took part in the Australia National League (ANL) earlier this month and Faizal was the team’s top scorer with five goals.

Terengganu coach Sarjit Singh believes Faizal should be given a second chance.

“He has changed his ways. I am sure he will be an asset to the national team. He had a good outing in the ANL. He also helped Terengganu win the double in the Malaysia Hockey League,” said Sarjit.

The national team have been hit by injuries to three key players – defenders Baljit Singh and Mohamed Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin and forward Mohamed Rashid Baharom.

Baljit is definitely out of the team. The MHC are waiting for the scan results on Izad and Rashid on Monday before naming the final squad.

The Asian Champions Trophy is part of the team’s preparations for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers next year. Besides Malaysia, the others competing in the 11-day tournament are India, Japan, Pakistan, China and South Korea.

Malaysia will open their campaign against defending champions Pakistan on Thursday.

The top four teams after the round-robin matches will qualify for the semi-finals.

The Star of Malaysia

Under 21 Women named for Junior World Cup


20 year old Maddison Dowe will lead the New Zealand Juniors at the World Cup

The New Zealand Under 21 Women’s team has been named to compete at the Junior World Cup in Chile from 24 November - 5 December.

It’s a young and talented group led by 20-year-old Auckland defender Maddison Dowe, who has played four tests for the Black Sticks.

Along with Dowe, a further three players are members of the New Zealand Development Squad including Stephanie Dickins, Tessa Jopp and Phoebe Steele.

New Zealand are looking to push deep into the tournament after battling Belgium, China and Spain in pool play.

Head coach Sean Dancer said it’s a youthful group full of confidence to put in a strong performance.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for these girls to stand up on the world stage. They have had development opportunities around the Black Sticks environment so are well prepared,” he said.

“We are targeting a top eight finish which will certainly be a challenge against the best in the world but one we are definitely up for.

“There is plenty of spark in this side with the likes of Maddison who has played for the Black Sticks, so we hope to see that experience lift the performance of the entire team.”

The Men’s Junior World Cup will be played in Lucknow, India from 8-18 December.

NEW ZEALAND UNDER 21 WOMEN
JUNIOR WORLD CUP – SANTIAGO, CHILE

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Dowe to lead junior women at World Cup


Auckland's Maddison Dowe in action. Photosport

Auckland defender Maddison Dowe will lead New Zealand's under 21 hockey team to the junior World Cup in Chile, starting on November 24.

Dowe, 20, has played four internationals for the Black Sticks and is one of four players who are in the New Zealand Development Squad, along with Southern midfielder Tessa Jopp, Canterbury attacker Phoebe Steele and Stephanie Dickins, a North Harbour defender.

New Zealand will play Belgium, China and Spain in pool play.

"It's a brilliant opportunity for these girls to stand up on the world stage," head coach Sean Dancer said.

"They have had development opportunities around the Black Sticks environment so are well prepared. We are targeting a top eight finish which will certainly be a challenge against the best in the world but one we are definitely up for."

New Zealand squad:
Maddison Dowe (c), Deanna Ritchie, Tyler Lench (Auckland), Stephanie Dickins, Hattie Jones, Kayla Reed, Brooke Roberts (North Harbour), Tarryn Davey, Frances Davies, Megan Hull, Alia Jaques, Amy Robinson (Midlands), Phoebe Steele, Catherine Tinning, Emily Wium, Kirsten Nation (Canterbury), Maddi McLean, Tessa Jopp (Southern).

The New Zealand Herald