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All the news for Monday 9 September 2019

Merry strike sends Black Sticks to Tokyo: Australia men seal Olympic spot with two wins over New Zealand



New Zealand (World Ranking:6) women defied history and the world rankings to win the 2019 Oceania Cup and a coveted ticket to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 after they drew their final nail-biting match with Australia (WR:2) to win the overall contest on goals scored.

In the men’s competition, Australia (WR:1) were dominant in the first and third game of the competition, winning 4-1 and 3-0. It wasn’t all plain sailing however as New Zealand (WR:8) made them work for the win with a strong showing in the second match of three, holding the world number one side to a draw and keeping their hopes alive ahead of the final day of play.

There was certainly no doubting the significance of this competition. Who won the two golden tickets to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 all came down to three matches played over an intense four day period at the Oceania Cup. Australia and New Zealand faced off in both the men’s and women’s competition in Rockhampton, Queensland, knowing that this was an all or nothing contest.

If there was intense pressure, host nation and world number one side Australia didn’t show it in the opening men’s match. Tom Craig gave the Kookaburras a lead within five minutes of the start and the team continued to build the lead as Tim Brand, Blake Govers and Flynn Ogilvie all got onto the scoresheet. New Zealand (WR:8) were unable to find an answer in that opening encounter.

The results were reversed in the first of three women’s matches as New Zealand (WR:6) ignored the rankings and current form to charge to a 3-1 win and a 1-0 overall lead. The goals, from Megan Hull, Amy Robinson and Stacey Michelesen, were enough to move Graham Shaw’s team into a confident, leading position.

The second round of matches saw New Zealand men regroup and the resulting 2-2 draw was a sign of the Black Stick’s resilience. Australia took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Tom Wickham and Govers and must have been thinking they were on their way to Tokyo with an unassailable lead.

New Zealand, though, had other ideas and first Jacob Smith and then Kane Russell dragged their team back into the contest. The results meant everything came down to the final day of action.

And so to the third round. New Zealand women needed a win or a draw; the Hockeyroos needed a win. Australia men were in the most comfortable position, needing just a draw to secure top spot but New Zealand had kept the door open – although a 4-0 win or better against the world number one side was a big ask even for this resilient team.

The women’s match was a classic encounter. New Zealand’s head coach Graham Shaw admitted it was a game that was “ugly at times”.

Australia took the lead early in the game through a fierce rebounded shot from Mariah Williams in the second minute of play. It was still 1-0 with just five minutes left on the clock and the home crowd could have been forgiven for thinking their side had done enough. But New Zealand dug deep, driven on by Megan Hull and the ever-impressive Stacey Michelesen.

The pressure paid off as New Zealand won a penalty corner. Olivia Merry, who has been in a rich vein of form in front of goal of late, made no mistake as she shot home to give her team the goal they needed.

“What a feeling,” said head coach Graham Shaw. “Today wasn’t our best performance but we got the job done and I am so happy to know we have made it.”

In the final men's game, Australia played with supreme confidence and raced to a 2-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. The goals came from Tim Brand and Blake Govers. New Zealand dug deep and defended well but, in truth, they never looked like breaching the Kookaburra's wall. Their cause wasn't helped when two players received yellow cards in the final minutes of the game, meaning the Black Sticks were down to nine players. A third goal was added by Govers in the final minute of play.

Captain of Australia Aran Zalewski said: "It's not every day you get to qualify for the Olympics. We put ourselves under pressure with the draw yesterday but we came back with a good performance today. We should have scored a few more from the penalty corners we had but we will take that win."

The results mean that Australia men join Japan, Argentina, Belgium and South Africa as the nations currently qualified for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

In the women’s event, New Zealand join Japan, Netherlands, Argentina and South Africa as the teams qualified to compete next year.

Australia women and New Zealand men will now learn who they face in the upcoming FIH Olympic Qualifiers.

New Zealand’s win is their first Oceania Cup victory since 2011, while for Australia men, this is the 24th win since the competition began 97 years ago.

Overall, since 1922, Australia and New Zealand men have played a total of 28 editions of the Oceania Cup. History has been on the side of the Australia team - they have won 23 times previously, with New Zealand winning twice and three drawn results. For the women’s event, this New Zealand team has bucked the trend. Of the 25 editions of the event, Australia has triumphed on 16 occasions, with New Zealand winning four and five results drawn. (With thanks to B.G. Josh for the statistics).

In the Oceania Hockey5s, taking place alongside the Oceania Cup, Papua New Guinea won the men’s competition after beating both Solomon Islands and Tonga in the round robin competition. The final standings were replicated in the women’s competition as Papua New Guinea women beat Solomon Islands and Tonga.

FIH site

Kookaburras qualify for Tokyo 2020

Nic Kerber



Australia’s World number one ranked men’s hockey team has booked its place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after winning the 2019 Oceania Cup.

The Kookaburras secured a dominant 3-0 victory over New Zealand in Rockhampton tonight to convincingly take out the best-of-three series with two wins and a draw.

Keen to make amends after blowing a two goal lead to the Black Sticks 24 hours earlier, the Kookaburras went about their work in typical energetic style.

The first goal came in the 11th minute when striker Tim Brand produced a poacher’s finish following fine lead up work from Aran Zalewski.

Soon after it was 2-0 as the Black Sticks failed to deal with a penalty corner from Blake Govers.

Jake Whetton flashed a shot wide as the Kookaburras looked to drive home their advantage, the Australian defence also doing their part for the cause.

Defender Matthew Dawson received a yellow card in the third quarter but it was a minor hiccup for a Kookaburras outfit that had primed itself for this tournament and successfully accomplished the mission of qualifying.

Daniel Beale forced a sharp save from Black Sticks goalkeeper George Enersen before Govers put the icing on the cake late, with a drag flick into the roof of the net to claim his second of the night.

“We’re very happy with the result. New Zealand were really competitive over the three games, we had a real battle with them yesterday but today we took our game to another level so it’s very pleasing to finish with that result,” said Head Coach Colin Batch.

“I think after a down game, if you can call it that, you always come out firing. I think there was strong motivation to finish well, qualify and win the Oceania Cup.”

“We pride ourselves on playing the last game really well and I think we saw that today. It was a very even performance by the team, very connected and we got the result.”

Batch said it was great to be able to lock in a place at next year’s Olympics.

“We played a lot of Pro League this year and we played really well in that but it’s not a qualification, so this was our first opportunity to do it and I think it was really important to qualify here rather than go through another qualifier.”

“Now we can start planning in proper terms over the next 10 months.”

“You never take the Oceania Cup or an Olympic qualifier for granted, so we got the job done this weekend, I’m very pleased and now we can look forward to Tokyo.”

Match 3

Kookaburras 3 (Brand 11’, Govers 14’/58’)
New Zealand 0

Kalka Shades Hockey Fields, Rockhampton

Hockey Australia media release

Australia take the Oceania Cup against the Black Sticks Men


(C) - Photography Andrew Blanchard

The Kookaburras have run away with the Oceania Cup against the Vantage Black Sticks Men. Needing to win the match by five goals the New Zealand side were always going to have their backs up against the wall. Australia took the lead early and kept the pressure on the Kiwis throughout the contest as they would come away 3-0 victors.

The Vantage Black Sticks Men met the world number one Kookaburras in match three of the Oceania Cup in Rockhampton. The New Zealand Men came out aggressively and were looking to attack the Australian defence with pace.  The Kookaburras managed to open the scoring against the run of play when Richard Joyce struggled to clear the ball from the circle and Tim Brand was able to flick the ball back in over Joyce’s shoulder. The Australians then extended their lead when the New Zealand penalty corner defence couldn’t stop a well-placed Blake Govers drag flick.

The Kiwis changed their goalkeeper at the beginning of the second quarter and George Enersen was called on instantly to pull off some massive saves to keep the Australians out of the net and stop them from extending their lead.  The New Zealand team was being pressed aggressively by the Kookaburras and were struggling to clear their defensive zone. As the quarter wore on the Kiwis managed to construct some opportunities, the Australians were resolute on defence to keep their lead in tact heading into the second half.

The second half started in the same fashion that the first one finished with both teams playing some outstanding end to end attacking hockey. The Kookaburras were clinical on defence and were stifling every attacking opportunity that the Kiwis were creating. With three minutes to go in the third quarter and Australia being reduced to 10 men Black Sticks Coach Darren Smith pulled George Enersen to give the side a two man overlap in the hopes of finding a goal to get themselves back into the contest. Despite creating several attacking chances, the Kookaburras stayed calm to keep themselves up 2-0.

As the final quarter wore on the Black Sticks continued to attack with speed, however the Australians were rock solid on defence and wouldn’t allow the New Zealand side any space to construct any significant chances. Blake Govers sealed the win for the Kookaburras with a rocket drag-flick with two minutes to go to put Australia up 3-0.

Vantage Black Sticks Men 0
Kookaburras 3 (Tim Brand 11 min, Blake Govers 14, 58 min)

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Hockeyroos fall agonisingly short

Nic Kerber



The Hockeyroos will need to go via the long route to qualify for Tokyo 2020 after New Zealand claimed the Oceania Cup with a 1-1 draw in a tension filled final match.

The result means the Hockeyroos will now have to await the draw to determine the matches of the upcoming International Federation of Hockey (FIH) Hockey Olympic qualifiers.

The draw will take place at 9pm AEST on Monday 9 September, with the Hockeyroos to be drawn against either Italy, Chile or Russia in a two match series to be played in Perth on the weekend of 25-27 October 2019. The winner on aggregate across the two matches will then qualify for Tokyo 2020.

With one win apiece heading into the last game of the best-of-three series but with the Black Sticks Women holding a marginally better goal difference, the situation for the Hockeyroos was simple – they needed to win to secure automatic qualification for next year’s Olympic Games.

If there were any early nerves they quickly evaporated as the Hockeyroos went ahead inside two minutes.

After an unsuccessful first penalty corner attempt from Jodie Kenny, the Hockeyroos won another and at the second time of trying, Kenny was again the designated drag flicker and this time Mariah Williams produced a fine deflection to send the ball in. The home side could not have scripted a better start.

The Hockeyroos continued to be positive as the opening quarter wore on, although there was a brief heart in the mouth moment when a misdirected back pass from Madison Fitzpatrick went straight to Olivia Merry, but the Australian defence did enough to diffuse the chance.

Early in the second quarter Merry was at it again but Hockeyroos goalkeeper Rachael Lynch pulled off an outstanding save to deny the striker. Sophie Taylor was doing a fine job to curtail Merry’s influence, while Lynch was again called into action to keep the Kiwis at bay.

Another intriguing end to end affair saw the Hockeyroos hold on to their slender lead going into half time.

Two minute expulsions for Kaitlin Nobbs and Edwina Bone in the third quarter left the Hockeyroos susceptible but they remained defensively sound.

After a successful review in their attacking circle, the Hockeyroos were unable to make the most of the resultant penalty corner, the game continuing to ebb and flow throughout the third period with both sides struggling to link up in their forward half.

Tensions continued to rise going into the final quarter, the Hockeyroos’ cause not aided when Rosie Malone was shown a yellow card.

Kenny went centimetres away from giving the Hockeyroos a two goal cushion when her drag flick cannoned into the frame of the goal, and as has happened on a number of occasions throughout the three matches, New Zealand would make the Hockeyroos pay dearly for the missed opportunity.

A rare penalty corner for the Black Sticks with five minutes to go was trapped for Merry to wind up and she managed to sneak her low shot through the smallest of gaps between Lynch and the post.

Suddenly it was desperation stakes for the Hockeyroos and they threw everything and everyone forward in search of a winner. The final minute 90 seconds saw two lengthy delays for reviews called by Australia, but their efforts would be to no avail as the Black Sticks Women held on for a draw, enough to see them through to the Olympics and force the Hockeyroos to go through another stage of qualifying.

“It’s bitterly disappointing not to get the result that we needed,” said a dejected Head Coach Paul Gaudoin.

“There’s a bit to digest right at the moment. The girls are disappointed but at the end of the day we weren’t good enough and we didn’t play well enough to deserve to win, which is going to be a fair spur on if anything for the next six weeks before the next opportunity to qualify.

“With five minutes to go we were one-nil up and there were some critical moments that we didn’t deal with well enough, and that gave New Zealand a chance and they took it.”

“They’re the little things that make a difference and our group are really going to have to be improved in order to make sure we get the job done in October.

“In the critical moments today we just weren’t good enough. I think we controlled the game pretty well for large parts of it and moved the ball really well. But we couldn’t finish well enough or put our corners in the back of the net.

“We had a lot of the ball but you can’t sit on a one-nil lead and that’s a challenge for us, finding ways to make sure we can put on more scoreboard pressure. We can’t allow teams to get back into it which we did.”

Match 3

Hockeyroos 1 (Williams 2’)
New Zealand 1 (Merry 55’)

New Zealand win Oceania Cup and qualify for Tokyo 2020 due to superior goal difference

Hockey Australia media release

Oceania Cup: Black Sticks women and Kookaburras seal Olympic places

By The Hockey Paper


Olivia Merry, right, scored a crucial equaliser for New Zealand PIC: WorldSportPics

Black Sticks women’s coach Graham Shaw expressed his delight as his new side reached the Tokyo Olympics on a dramatic weekend.

A 1-1 draw was good enough against the Hockeyroos on goal difference over the three legs at the Oceania Cup in Rockhampton to confirm the make up of the FIH Olympic qualifiers.

Shaw, who quit Ireland to join New Zealand, said: “What a feeling. It was a little bit ugly at times but that’s what you need, to dig in and stick together. Maybe a little bit of luck but I’m really proud of the effort everyone has put in.”

Shaw added that he was glad everything had worked out in his first major test and thus avoiding the Olympic play-offs next month thanks to an equaliser from Olivia Merry five minutes from time.

But the Hockeyroos nearly reversed the odds in the dying stages with a flurry of late PCs which the Black Sticks managed to keep out.

The Hockeyroos will to drawn against either Italy, Chile or Russia in a two-match series to be played in Perth on October 25-27.

Meanwhile, the world No 1 Kookaburras booked their spot at next year’s Olympic Games with a commanding 3-0 win over the Black Sticks and a Blake Govers double.

The result means the Kookaburras won the best-of-three series with two victories and a draw to claim the Oceania Cup.

Coach Colin Batch said: “You never take the Oceania Cup or an Olympic qualifier for granted, so we got the job done this weekend, I’m very pleased and now we can look forward to Tokyo.”

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The Hockey Paper

Tokyo 2020: New Zealand Women's hockey team secure their place

By Elizabeth Conway


New Zealand 2016 Olympic Games Women's Hockey Team Announcement

New Zealand Women’s Hockey Team have confirmed their place in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, having drawn to Australia in the Oceania Cup.

The late equaliser, just five minutes from the end of the game, earned the Black Sticks their place at the Olympics as they placed ahead of Oceania Cup hosts, Australia.

The draw against the Hockeyroos ensured the sixth-ranked side a series victory on goal difference over the three legs of the cup in Rockhampton, Queensland.

The Australian side, who needed a victory in the game, seemed dominant and confident following an early goal from Mariah Williams, which gave them the lead after just two minutes.

The score remained at 1-0 for the majority of the match, but the Black Sticks refused to let the pressure get to them, despite the knowledge that an equaliser was all they needed to secure the prestigious spot.

Their efforts paid off when Olivia Merry’s equaliser came tantalisingly close to the end of the game. This meant that New Zealand had automatically secured their Olympic spot, igniting delight amongst the players and the travelling fans.

Merry’s strike off a penalty corner will mean that the Hockeyroos will have to take a much harder route to the Olympics. They will now go into a draw for the International Hockey Federation Olympic Qualifiers which will be played between the 26th October and the 3rd November.

New Zealand coach Graham Shaw explained how "the game was ugly at times, but the team dug in and was able to stick together to get a fantastic result."

This was another great success for New Zealand, who also beat the women in black in the final of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games last year and will certainly not have gone unnoticed by the Great Britain women.



Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams will have the chance to earn their spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in November when they will play in two-legged qualifier matches.

The games, both of which will be on home turf, will take place at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre from the 1st until the 3rd November and you can find information about tickets here.

The Great Britain sides will only know who their oppositions are following the conclusion of the other continental competitions. The draw is set to be made on Monday 9 September and can be found live on FIH Facebook page at 12 pm BST.

Give Me Sport

FIH releases updated FIH World Rankings



Lausanne, Switzerland: Following the conclusion of the Oceania Cup, the last of five men’s and five women’s Continental Championship competitions to take place over the 2017-2019 period, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has released the updated FIH World Rankings. This update comes ahead of the rankings-based draw for the FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers, which will be broadcast live on the FIH Facebook page on Monday 9 September 2019 at 1pm CEST.

There is no change at the top of the men’s FIH World Rankings, with Australia’s Oceania Cup triumph being enough for the top ranked Kookaburras to stay ahead of second-placed Belgium, recent winners of the Belfius EuroHockey Championship event on home soil in Antwerp, although the ranking points gap between the two nations has narrowed to just two points. European bronze medallists the Netherlands remain third in the rankings, with fourth-placed Argentina, the Pan American Games gold medallists, and fifth-placed India also being non-movers. Germany have climbed one place to take sixth position from England, who are now seventh, with European silver medallists Spain moving from ninth to eighth place, forcing New Zealand down one ranking position. 

Ireland have fallen from 11th to 13th in the men’s FIH World Rankings, with both Malaysia (WR:11) and France (WR:12) moving ahead of the Green Machine. Korea have been overtaken by Japan who move up to 15th, while both Wales (WR:18, up from 25) and Scotland (WR:19, up from 21) are now ranked higher than at any other time in their respective histories. Russia and Italy are also climbers, the Russians progressing from 23rd to 22nd while the Italians have risen from 26th to 23rd.

Elsewhere, Gibraltar and Peru have made significant progress up the men’s FIH World Rankings, with Gibraltar rising an impressive 14 places from 60th to 46th, while Peru are now ranked 43rd, rising 12 places from 55th.

The Netherlands remain at the summit of the women’s FIH World Rankings, with their recent title success at the Belfius EuroHockey Championship in Antwerp making it impossible for nearest rivals Australia to narrow the 500+ ranking point gap. A second-place finish behind New Zealand in the Oceania Cup means that Australia have actually lost ground on the Oranje, although a ranking points reduction from 2070 to 2020 was not significant enough for the Hockeyroos to lose second place in the rankings table. Pan American Games champions Argentina have held onto third position, although European silver medallists Germany are now officially the fourth best team in the world after moving ahead of England, who are now ranked fifth.  

Oceania Cup champions New Zealand (WR:6), European bronze medallists Spain (WR:7) and Ireland (WR:8) are non-movers, although Belgium’s drop from ninth to 12th place has resulted in one place promotions for India (WR:9), China (WR:10) and Korea (WR:11). For the second rankings update in succession, Pan American Games silver medallists Canada (WR:15) have climbed three places and have switched positions with Chile (WR:18), with recently crowned African continental champions South Africa (WR:16) and Italy (WR:17) retaining their respective positions and Russia (WR:19) climbing from 23rd place to break into the top 20.

Zimbabwe’s superb bronze medal at last month’s African Hockey Road to Tokyo 2020 competition in Stellenbosch, South Africa has resulted in one of the biggest jumps in this rankings update, progressing twenty places up the table from 66th to 46th position. Chinese Taipei (WR:42, up from 54), Papua New Guinea (WR:53, up from 62) and Cuba (WR:56, up from 63) are also climbers, while Slovakia and Hungary are newly ranked at 50 and 54 respectively. 

The updated FIH World Rankings can be downloaded in PDF format using the links below.

Men | Women

For complete information about the FIH World Rankings, please click here.

FIH site

FIH rankings: Indian men’s hockey team stays fifth, women move up to ninth

There is no change at the top of the rankings with Australia’s Oceania Cup triumph ensuring that it stays ahead of second-placed Belgium.


The Indian men's hockey team is fifth with 1823 points.   -  Twitter @TheHockeyIndia

The Indian men’s hockey team remains fifth while the women’s team climbed a place to number nine in the latest FIH rankings released on Sunday.

The fresh list was released following the conclusion of the Oceania Cup.

There is no change at the top of the rankings with Australia’s Oceania Cup triumph ensuring that it stays ahead of second-placed Belgium but the points gap between the two nations has narrowed to just two. Australia has 2350 points.

European bronze medallist the Netherlands (2155) remain third in the rankings, followed by the Pan American Games gold medallist Argentina (1988).

India (1823) is unchanged at number five while Germany (1770) has climbed one place to take sixth position from England (1679), which is now seventh.

European silver medallist Spain (1510) has moved from ninth to eighth place, forcing New Zealand (1459) down one ranking position. Canada (1325) completes the top-10 line-up.

In the women’s rankings, the Netherlands remains at the summit following their recent title success at the Belfius EuroHockey Championship in Antwerp.

Australia remained in second place and Pan American Games champions Argentina has also held onto third position. European silver medallist Germany is now the fourth-best team in the world after moving ahead of England, which is now ranked fifth.

Sportstar

FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers: pots confirmed for today’s draw



Lausanne, Switzerland: After the completion of the Oceania Cup - which saw New Zealand’s Women and Australia’s Men be crowned Oceanian Champions and therefore qualify directly for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - and the publication of the latest Men’s and Women’s FIH World Rankings today, the pots of the draw to determine the matches of the upcoming FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers are now confirmed as follows:

Men

Pot 1 (Host teams):
(1) The Netherlands
(2) India
(3) Germany

Pot 2 (Host teams):
(4) Great Britain
(5) Spain
(6) New Zealand
(7) Canada

Pot 3 (Away teams):
(8) Malaysia
(9) France
(10) Ireland
(11) Korea

Pot 4 (Away teams):
(12) Pakistan
(13) Austria
(14) Russia*

*Egypt decided to withdraw from the qualifiers and were therefore replaced by the next best-ranked team, Russia

Women

Pot 1 (Host teams):
(1) Australia
(2) Germany
(3) Great Britain

Pot 2 (Host teams):
(4) Spain
(5) Ireland
(6) India
(7) China

Pot 3 (Away teams):
(8) Korea
(9) Belgium
(10) USA
(11) Canada

Pot 4 (Away teams):
(12) Italy
(13) Chile
(14) Russia

The draw will be held tomorrow (9 September) at 1pm CEST at the headquarters of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in Lausanne, Switzerland. It will be conducted by FIH CEO Thierry Weil and streamed live on the FIH Facebook page.

The draw will be done as follows:

•     The teams ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd (pot 1) will be drawn at random to play at home against one of the teams ranked 12th, 13th or 14th (pot 4).  For example, the team ranked 1st will play at home one of the teams ranked 12th, 13th or 14th, as determined by the draw
•     The teams ranked 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th (pot 2) will be drawn at random to play at home against one of the teams ranked 8th, 9th, 10th or 11th (pot 3)

The FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers are scheduled for 25-27 October and 1-3 November 2019. The exact match schedule and venues will be confirmed after the draw.

The 2020 Olympic hockey tournaments will be staged in Japan’s capital city from 25 July to 7 August next year and involve 12 Men’s and 12 Women’s teams.

The following teams have already qualified for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as winners of their respective Continental Championship:

Men

Japan (won their Continental Championship and were already qualified as hosts)
Argentina
South Africa
Belgium
Australia

Women

Japan (won their Continental Championship and were already qualified as hosts)
Argentina
South Africa
The Netherlands
New Zealand

The final participation in the Olympic Games for any team must be approved and confirmed beforehand by their respective National Olympic Committee.

#Tokyo2020
#RoadToTokyo
#GiftOfHockey

FIH site

India's hockey Olympic Qualifiers opponents to be decided on Monday


The Indian men's hockey team won the Olympic Test event held in Tokyo in August.   -  Getty Images

The Indian men's and women's hockey teams will find out their Olympic Qualifier opponents on Monday, with the draw scheduled to be held at the FIH headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The draw will be streamed live on International Hockey Federation's Facebook page at 4.30 pm (IST).

Russia qualified for the draw on Sunday as the next best-ranked team after Egypt pulled out of the Qualifiers.

The Indian men's team, ranked world number 5, is in Pot 1 alongside The Netherlands and Germany will face one team from Pot 3 which has Pakistan, Austria and Russia. The women's team is in Pot 2 alongside Spain, Ireland and China and will drawn against the teams in Pot 4 featuring Italy, Chile and Russia.

Men

Pot 1 (Host teams):

(1) The Netherlands
(2) India
(3) Germany

Pot 4 (Away teams):

(12) Pakistan
(13) Austria
(14) Russia*

Pot 2 (Host teams):

(4) Great Britain
(5) Spain
(6) New Zealand
(7) Canada

Pot 3 (Away teams):

(8) Malaysia
(9) France
(10) Ireland
(11) Korea

Women

Pot 1 (Host teams):

(1) Australia
(2) Germany
(3) Great Britain

Pot 4 (Away teams):

(12) Italy
(13) Chile
(14) Russia

Pot 2 (Host teams):

(4) Spain
(5) Ireland
(6) India
(7) China

Pot 3 (Away teams):

(8) Korea
(9) Belgium
(10) USA
(11) Canada

The FIH Hockey Olympic qualifiers are scheduled for 25-27 October and 1-3 November 2019 where India will take on its opponent in a two-legged tie. The exact match schedule and venues will be confirmed after the draw.

Sportstar

Irish men and women to discover Olympic qualifier opponents

Women will play their two-legged tie at home while the men will have to travel away

Stephen Findlater


Ireland men and women will discover their Olympic qualifying opponents on Monday. Photo: Bryan Keane/Inpho
 
The Irish men and women will find out their Olympic qualifier path on Monday afternoon with the draw taking place at the International Hockey Federation offices at 12pm.

For the women, ranked eighth in the world, they are assured of a home tie in either late October or early November. It will be against one of either Korea (11th), Belgium (12th), USA (13th) or Canada (15th) with their opponent drawn out of a hat.

The qualifier will be played over two legs, both in Ireland, over the course of one weekend with the aggregate score deciding who goes to Tokyo.

On the men’s side, Ireland have dropped to 13th in the world rankings – released on Sunday – following their relegation from the top tier in Europe in August.

It means they will play away from home in the qualifiers. Their potential opponents for the two-legged affair will be one of Britain (7th), Spain (8th), New Zealand (9th) or Canada (10th).

Elsewhere, former Irish women’s coach Graham Shaw enjoyed almost instant success with New Zealand, earning their ticket for Tokyo 2020 on Sunday in Rockhampton.

They won their best of three series with Australia to be crowned the Oceania champions for the first time since 2011.

Shaw’s side won the first leg of their best of three series 3-1 before losing the second 3-2. It meant a draw would be enough in game three which they duly achieved with Olivia Merry scoring the vital equaliser with five minutes to go.

Shaw shocked Irish hockey when he vacated the top job in the spring following the Green Army’s World Cup silver medal last summer for the gig with the world number six side.

But this success provided an extra justification for his switch as New Zealand became the fifth side to qualify for the Games.

“What a feeling!” Shaw said afterwards. “A little bit ugly at time but that’s what you need sometimes, to dig in and stick together. Maybe a little bit of luck but really proud of the effort everyone has put in.”

Asked which success he rated as bigger in his career, Shaw added: “That’s two very different things and being from Ireland, it was a very special thing. It was a really big decision to come over here and really happy it has worked out!”

The Irish Times

No fear: Captain Sukri hopes for worthy opponents in playoff

By T. AVINESHWARAN

PETALING JAYA: National hockey team captain Mohd Sukri Mutalib hopes that Malaysia will get to play a nation that is ranked closer to them for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic playoff matches in October.

Malaysia will know today who they will face in the two-leg playoff matches. World No. 11 Malaysia will play either former world champions Germany (sixth), England (seventh), Spain (eighth) or New Zealand (ninth) depending on the luck of the draw.

“Honestly, I want to face a team that is near to our ranking. However, it all depends on the luck of the draw, ” said the 33-year-old.

“By hook or by crook, we’ve to be prepared for any team. The good thing about the draw is we will know our opponents early.

“The sad part is we will be playing away from home. Even though it’s over two legs, we will not be playing on our shores.”

To prepare for the qualifiers, Malaysia, coached by Roelant Oltmans, travelled to Europe and Japan to play a series of tournaments and friendlies.

During Malaysia’s three-week stint in Europe, the squad played nine matches. Six were Test matches while the other three came in the Four Nations Invitational tournament, which Malaysia won.

The six Test matches in Europe saw Malaysia beat Germany 4-3 but lost the other five to Spain, Holland (4-6 and 2-4) and Belgium (0-8 and 1-5).

Malaysia won the Four Nations Invitational in Terrassa, Spain, after beating Spain 4-3, Ireland 2-1 and drawing 3-3 with England.

In Japan, they played a four-nation tournament in Tokyo which saw teams like India (world No. 5), New Zealand and hosts Japan (15th) participating in it.

However, they lost all their matches at the group stage - India (0-6), Japan (1-3), New Zealand (1-3) and fumbled in the third-fourth playoff match, losing 1-6 to Japan.

Sukri said there were reasons why they under-performed in the last nine matches they played.

“We played well in the first seven games but faltered after that. I would attribute it to tiredness because it’s the first time we played nine matches in two weeks. We are in the general preparation phase, where we are looking to build our strength, understand the tactics and also prepare ourselves mentally for the competition phase.“In Japan, we had some players coming from Kuala Lumpur and retained some tired legs from Europe. Our combination wasn’t good and it showed in matches.”

Sukri said for the team to do well on the international stage, they have to understand that only consistency can bring them forward.

“We have good quality but consistency is not there. We are still looking for ways to fix that. We have our good days and bad days, and that has to be rectified.

“As captain, I will do whatever it takes to motivate these boys. My job is also easier because the likes of S. Kumar, Razie (Rahim) and Tengku (Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil) are also guiding them.”

The Star of Malaysia

Squad for South Korea Tests finalised

By Jugjet Singh


Malaysia will play either Germany, Britain, Spain, New Zealand or Canada in the final qualifying match for next year’s Tokyo Olympics. - NSTP/ASWADI ALIAS

NATIONAL coach Roelant Oltmans has finalised his 20-member squad for the four Test matches against South Korea on Sept 19-29.

The matches will serve as a warm-up for the final round of the Olympic qualifiers.

Malaysia’s opponents for the qualifiers will be known today.

“I will use these matches to gauge the players and then select the final 18 for the qualifiers.

“We will also be testing tactics during the tour,” said Oltmans.

Malaysia will play either Germany, Britain, Spain, New Zealand or Canada in the final qualifying match for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.

The Olympic qualifying matches are scheduled on Oct 25-27 and Nov 1-3.

For the record, Malaysia’s last Olympic appearance was at the 2000 Sydney edition.

The squad: S. Kumar, Zaimi Mat Deris, Sukri Mutalib, Razie Rahim, Faiz Helmi Jali, Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan, Najib Abu Hassan, Nabil Fiqri, Ashran Hamsani, Joel Samuel van Huizen, Marhan Jalil, Fitri Saari, Meor Azuan Hasan, Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi, Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil, Faizal Saari, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Shahril Saabah, Noor Firdaus Rosdi.

New Straits Times

AHF Men's Central Asia Cup 2019
Taldykorgan (KAZ)

Results

2 Sep 2019 19:00     KAZ v TJK (RR)     9 - 0
4 Sep 2019 17:00     UZB v TJK (RR)     3 - 0
5 Sep 2019 17:00     KAZ v OMA (RR)     3 - 2
7 Sep 2019 15:00     UZB v OMA (RR)     1 - 1
8 Sep 2019 15:00     OMA v TJK (RR)     11 - 0
8 Sep 2019 17:00     KAZ v UZB (RR)     1 - 0

Final Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

Murugappa Gold Cup: IOC beats PNB 3-1 to defend title

Samarnath Soory


Murugappa Gold Cup 2019 winner Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOC).   -  M. Vedhan

Gurjinder Singh starred with a brace as defending champion Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC) beat Punjab National Bank (PNB) 3-1 in the final of the 2019 Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.

IOC, which had to dig deep in the 6-3 semifinal win on Saturday, began cautiously while PNB looked nervous going forward. In the 11th minute, Indian international Mandeep Mor failed to convert a penalty corner as the first quarter ended goalless.

In the 23rd minute, IOC won back-to-back penalty corners as Gurjinder Singh found the roof of the net after receiving a cut-back from V. R. Raghunath. The holder thought it was 2-0 up in the 35th minute when dragflicker Raghunath passed the ball back to pusher Talwinder Singh at the baseline who deflected it into the top corner. However, the goal was ruled out for dangerous play.

Gurjinder put IOC 2-0 up in the 38th minute with a dragflick into top right corner. In the 40th minute, Sukhjeet Singh failed to connect when he dived towards the near post to meet a cross from the right side. However, Vishal Antil scored from a penalty corner rebound in the 44th minute to make it 2-1.

In the 59th minute, PNB missed a glorious chance to force a shootout when Mandeep Mor's low dragflick narrowly missed the far post. Before PNB could regroup, IOC set off on a quick counter and player-coach Deepak Thakur sealed the title with a finish at the near post by receiving a defence-splitting pass from Rahil Mosin.

Unity the success mantra for IOC

IOC made it three domestic trophies in a row with Sunday’s win after it came into the tournament on the back winning the Bengaluru Super Division Championship and Bangalore Cup.

“Our team knows how to win,” said an elated Devesh Chauhan, IOC’s team manager. “Most of the players have been playing with IOC for the past seven-eight years, so they know each other’s movements on the pitch well. They know when to conserve energy and when to go for the goal,” he added.

“Off the pitch we are very united. We respect each other and have very open team discussions, which is why we come up with good game plans,” defender V.R. Raghunath said of the team, which has nine Indian internationals (current and former) in its ranks.

Final Result:

IOC 3 (Gurjinder Singh 23’, 38’ Deepak Thakur 59’) beat PNB 1(Vishal Antil 44’)

Sportstar

Murugappa Cup: IOC tricks PNB in penalty corners

Gurjinder’s brace helps the side retain the crown

K. Keerthivasan


To say IOC is a fantastic team because of its international players — 12 to be precise — is to state the obvious.

The real reason for its successful record, especially in 2018-2019 where it won eight of the 11 tournaments it took part in, is the near-perfect understanding between the players. All of it was evident in the final of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup all-India hockey tournament when it tamed Punjab National Bank (PNB) 3-1.

Gurjinder Singh has always been a big-match player in domestic hockey. In the last edition, he was instrumental in IOC’s title triumph. This time around, the 25-year-old turned out to be the hero, scoring a brace as the side retained the crown.

After a tight first quarter which witnessed strong defence from both teams, Gurjinder opened the account in the second when he deftly pushed one into the net off a penalty corner conversion by Raghunath.

PNB played well within its limitations. Abhishek, Sumit Toppo and Vishal Antil tried their best in finding the back of the net. Moreover, penalty corner specialist Mandeep Mor couldn’t do much.

IOC continued to put pressure and a second goal ensued. Gurjinder’s powerful shot off its second corner strike sounded the boards.

PNB got one back through Vishal Antil, who was quick to score off a rebound in a penalty corner conversion after Mandeep’s direct shot ricocheted off the custodian’s leg. With three minutes remaining for the final whistle, PNB got a penalty corner. But Mandeep’s shot went wide off the left post.

Thakur scores

Deepak Thakur, the wily old fox, scored his second goal of the tournament when he tapped one off a cross from Rahil Mosin.

In a match that was decided on penalty corners, IOC showed its class. IOC’s penalty corner conversion in the tournament has been quite poor. Off the 46 PCs it got, it could convert only 10.

“We knew the match would be decided on PCs. PNB employed half-court press and did well. We had our plans set,” said Devesh Chauhan, IOC manager and a former international. “We had done well in domestic tournaments, winning eight last year and three this year — Bengaluru super division, Bengaluru Cup and MCC-Murugappa Cup.”

Prize money

IOC received ₹6 lakhs while PNB was richer by ₹3 lakhs.

M.M. Murugappan, executive chairman, Murugappa Group, gave away the prizes.

The results (final):

IOC 3 (Gurjinder Singh 23, 38, Deepak Thakur 59) bt PNB 1 (Vishal Antil 44).

Special prizes: Best forward: Affan Yousuf (IOC); Best midfielder: Pardeep Mor (CST); Best goal-keeper: Jasbir Singh (PNB); Most promising player: Mandeep Mor (PNB); Best defensive player: T. Satish (TN).

The Hindu

Hockey Ireland confirm key rule changes for new season.


A number of new rules will be implemented this season. Pic: Sinead Hingston

Hockey Ireland has confirmed the new rule changes to the domestic game which will take effect from 1st August 2019. These changes will be introduced at all levels of adult hockey and there will some impact for the grassroots of hockey.

It is therefore important for all participants and officials that we understand the concept of these changes so that their introduction is as smooth as possible.

The changes are as follows: –

• Introduction of the match format of four quarters as standard Like in international matches, all adult matches at all levels will change to a four-quarter format. Hockey Ireland has received a special dispensation from the FIH, meaning that all quarters will be 17.5 minutes in length. During this time the clock will not be stopped for the award of penalty corners or the celebration of goals. NOTE: The wording of rule 5.1 within the FIH Rules of Hockey 2019 regarding 15 minute quarters, will NOT apply to hockey within Ireland.
• Removal of Goalkeeping privileges for substitute field player Teams now only have two options: – (i) Either play with a goalkeeper who wears full protective equipment comprising at least headgear, leg guards and kickers and who is also permitted to wear goalkeeping hand protectors and other protective equipment, (ii) Or play with only field players. Any change between these options should be treated as a substitution. It is hoped that this experimental rule will enhance safety as field players will no longer have goalkeeping privileges so will not be entitled to use their body to stop shots at goal and it also enhances the promotion of the sport by eliminating the issue of outfield players wearing other shirts to indicate goalkeeping privileges.
• Defending free hits within 5 meters of the circle: The explanation for how to treat free hits for the attacker close to the circle has been changed in Rules 13.2.f. It has now been made clear that players other than the attacker taking the free hit must be at least five metres away, including when they are in their circle. If the attacker, however, chooses to take the free hit immediately, then defenders who are inside the circle and within five metres from the ball may shadow around the inside of the circle as per the explanation of the rule before 2019. This has the advantage of not preventing the quickly taken free hit which has been widely welcomed by coaches and players, whilst maintaining the 5m rule used everywhere else on the pitch to provide space for the free hit taker.
• Free hits awarded inside the defensive circle: A defender may now take a free hit awarded in the circle anywhere inside the circle or up to 15 metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line.
• Taking a penalty corner: If an attacker enters the circle before permitted, the player taking the push or hit from the backline is required to go beyond the centre-line. The penalty corner is re-taken. Attackers who are sent beyond the centre-line may not re-return for the re-taken penalty corner, but may do so for a subsequently awarded penalty corner.
• Completion of a penalty corner: Rule 13.6 that described the completion of a penalty corner for substitution purposes and for a penalty corner at the end of a period, has been deleted. The option that a penalty corner is completed when the ball travels outside the circle for the second time, no longer exists.

The Hook

Important Changes ahead for Hockey New Zealand Tournaments

On Saturday, September 14 the 2019 Ford National Hockey League (NHL) will kick off for the 21st time. This year the Tauranga Hockey Association and Tauranga City Council will play host to the event between the 14th and 22nd of September at Blake Park.

The Ford NHL has provided quality competition and played a role in helping develop talented hockey players from around the country. The talent that has emerged from the Ford NHL has enabled the Vantage Black Sticks Men and Women to be firmly cemented among the top-10 hockey teams in the world in recent years.

As part of Hockey New Zealand’s strive for continuous improvement the Ford NHL will undergo a change in 2020 and return to an Association based tournament. This shift is part of a wider group of changes underway designed to enhance the delivery of quality experiences while producing world class Vantage Black Sticks teams capable of winning on the world stage. Alongside the change to Ford NHL 2020 will see a shift from the current Regional model of U18’s and U21’s an Association based U18 tournament and new High Performance Series.

This is an exciting time for hockey in New Zealand and the shift in these tournaments is going to allow for players to represent their home Associations and further establish the importance and value of local development and pride.

The competition changes are going to be delivered in conjunction with the development of a Performance Network with more information around the network announced later in 2019. The Performance Network will better prepare identified athletes to be world-class hockey players so that the Vantage Black Sticks will be able to compete consistently on the world stage and challenge for Olympic and World Cup medals.

The current model that has been in place has got hockey in New Zealand to a great place on the world stage and built depth in our sport, however these changes will build increased local pride and rivalries while putting our national teams in a stronger position to succeed in the future.

In the first year of the NHL in 1999, the men’s side from Wellington and the Auckland women took home the Championship titles. Since that year, both of those teams have been the most successful with Wellington/Capital men capturing seven championships in the 21year history, while the Auckland women have been victorious in a record six championships.

Hockey New Zealand CEO Ian Francis stated of the changes “We are excited about the changes and the opportunities that these will provide to our sport going forward. We want to use the final year of the Ford NHL as a celebration of the competition and what it has provided to hockey in New Zealand. These changes are important in the evolution of hockey and will help further enhance and develop our participants experiences at all levels”.

What will happen to tournaments in 2020?

• National Hockey League
In 2020, the Ford NHL will become the National Hockey Championship which will be open to be contested between the 32 associations throughout the country. The Championship will continue to be played late each year in the September window. The purpose of the National Hockey Championship will be to find the best performed Association for that year and provide an opportunity for players to put their hands up for selection in the High-Performance Series.

• Under 18’s National Tournament

The Under 18 tournament will also shift to an association-based tournament. The Under 18 tournament was traditionally an association-based tournament but was changed to being regionally-based in 2013. The shift back to association-based will allow athletes to represent their associations building pride and putting the emphasis on local development for players, coaches, umpires and officials.

• Under 21 National Tournament

The Under 21 tournament will cease to exist in its present format. Athletes who fit into this age group will aim to make their associations’ National Hockey Championship team. A High Performance U21 event will be established providing a competition opportunity for identified athletes. Details of this competition are still being developed alongside the Performance Network. The High-Performance U21’s event will be held in July each year.

Why change?

These changes have come out of the Strategy Delivery Review (SDR) that Hockey New Zealand began in early 2017. This project was undertaken to ensure hockey as a sport was fit-for-purpose to deliver on its current and future strategic priorities. The key elements that came out of the SDR was the need to ensure that hockey is fun, affordable, sustainable and inclusive. These competition changes are going to allow for athletes to be locally based and competing for their association at the highest domestic level.

FAQs

Will I still be able to play for my region?

Regions will no longer exist from 2020 on wards and participants will be playing for their association at U18’s and the National Hockey Championship.

What is going to replace the NHL?

The National Hockey League which is contested between the 8 regions will be replaced with the National Hockey Championship which will be contested between the 32 Associations. A new High-Performance Series will commence providing competition opportunities for the top 80 athletes per gender

Why are these changes happening?

We are making these changes to allow participants to play for their local association and stay at home longer. Participants travel and costs will be reduced due to this shift. The new High-Performance series will further bridge the gap between club hockey and international hockey

What changes are happening to the U18 Tournaments?

The Under 18 Tournament will shift from being regionally-based towards association-based.

What changes are happening to the U21 Tournament?

The Under 21 Tournament in its present format will not be contested going forward. Participants will instead play for their National Hockey Championship side and selected athletes will participate in a High-Performance U21’s event in July

What is the Performance Network?

Hockey New Zealand will be making further announcements about the Performance Network in late 2019.

Hockey New Zealand Media release

No. 1 UNC scores thrice in final 5 minutes to beat No. 5 Princeton


Marissa Creatore celebrates during North Carolina's win over Princeton. North Carolina Athletics

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The top-ranked North Carolina field hockey team protected its home turf in thrilling fashion Friday, scoring three times in the final 5:01 of play to beat fifth-ranked Princeton 4-3 at Karen Shelton Stadium. Senior Marissa Creatore, who grew up in Chapel Hill and came to UNC field hockey games a decade before she'd go on to play for the Tar Heels, scored the game winner on a cross from sophomore Erin Matson with 24 seconds remaining in regulation.

UNC improved to 3-0 on the season with its third come-from-behind win. Princeton fell to 0-1.
 
"I do want to credit Princeton," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "What a heck of a game they played and they pushed us to the limit. I'm proud of our team for sticking together and finding a way there at the end."

The Carolina-Princeton matchup was part of the ACC-Ivy League Conference Crossover, which continues on Sunday at Shelton Stadium. Princeton faces No. 10 Wake Forest at 11 a.m. then UNC takes on Penn at 1 p.m. Wake beat Penn 2-0 in Friday's opener, with the top-five UNC-Princeton battle following.
 
The Tigers kept Carolina on its heels through much of the game. Princeton went up 1-0 in the seventh minute of play on a penalty corner, with freshman Sammy Popper scoring off the rebound after UNC keeper Amanda Hendry saved the first Tiger shot.  Princeton added another goal in the 22nd minute, with senior Taylor Nolan putting her team up 2-0.

UNC answered 26 seconds later, when freshman Karlijn Goes scored for the first time in a Tar Heel uniform, assisted by Erin Matson. Coming from the right side of the circle, Matson tapped the ball through a defender to Goes, who shot from mid-circle for the score.
 
Four minutes before halftime Popper scored again, this time on a penalty corner, to put Princeton back up by two at the break, 3-1.
 
The score stayed there through the third quarter and into the fourth. Playing without a keeper after UNC coach Karen Shelton pulled Hendry with a little more than 10 minutes to play in an effort to gain an offensive advantage, the Tar Heels came up with a late flurry to win the game. With just over five minutes to play, redshirt freshman Romea Riccardo sent a ball toward Matson at the top of the circle. Matson carried it into the circle toward the baseline  then sent a shot from the left side into the right corner of the cage to pull UNC within one, 3-2.
 
Just over a minute later, Matson got off a a shot that was kept from going into the goal by a defender's body. The umpires awarded Carolina a penalty stroke, and senior Megan DuVernois, who scored the game winner in last year's 1-0 win over Princeton, calmly stepped up and made the shot to tie the score at 3-3 with 3:50 to play.
 
Hendry went back in and the game appeared headed for overtime until Creatore and Matson combined to give UNC its first lead of the game and the only one the Tar Heels would need. From the left baseline, Matson dribbled around a defender and sent a ball toward the cage, where Creatore got her stick on it to deflect it in for the win.

"I told our team at the half, 'let's get two goals and play for overtime,'" Shelton said. "And darned if they didn't get the three goals to win it in regulation. I'm really proud of our kids."

NCAA

Late goal from Creatore completes UNC field hockey's comeback versus Princeton

BY Matt Chilson


Erin Matson plays in a 2018 game against William and Mary. The sophomore forward assisted on the game-winning goal against Princeton on Friday.
Emily Caroline Sartin

Through three games this season, the No. 1 North Carolina field hockey team is writing a different story from last year.

In 2018, the team was a dominant, undefeated powerhouse. This season, though the Tar Heels are still undefeated thus far, they're the comeback kids.

With five minutes left, UNC trailed 3-1 in Friday's matchup against No. 5 Princeton in the ACC-Ivy League Conference Crossover. It looked like the team might suffer its first loss in the last 26 games.

“We told them to keep it simple,” head coach Karen Shelton said. “We are a two-touch passing team and when we over-carry, and we try to force things and play down the middle, we make it tough on ourselves.”

The Tigers had all of the momentum after scoring their third goal late in the second quarter. However, the Tar Heels had been there before.

Just a week earlier, UNC trailed early against both No. 7 Michigan and No. 8 Iowa. On Friday, the Tar Heels were in the same situation against Princeton.

“I told them at the half, let’s play for overtime,” Shelton said. “Let’s get two goals, and we will play for overtime.”

But the team didn't need to wait for overtime. With just over five minutes remaining in the game, sophomore Erin Matson scored her first goal to make it 3-2. Then, about one minute after that goal, senior Megan DuVernois followed up with her first goal of the season on a penalty shot to tie the game.

At this point, it looked like the Tar Heels had done what Shelton wanted and forced the game into overtime. But Marissa Creatore wasn't done.

With just 24 seconds remaining, the senior forward received a well-timed pass from Matson and hurled a powerful shot into the goal to win the game for the Tar Heels.

The comeback had been completed. Again.

After the game, Shelton pointed out the many mistakes and ways that UNC can improve, including having quicker restarts. However, a win is a win.

“I'm proud of our team for sticking together and finding a way in the end,” Shelton said.

Even though UNC has showed its perseverance early in the season, it will be very difficult to keep these comeback wins coming.

“For some reason we aren’t starting as fast as we want, and we talked about it,” Shelton said. “We talked about being down the first two games, and it was a goal of ours to start quickly."

If the Tar Heels want another year as national champions, they will need to make some changes. One way they could do that is to limit early goals from the opposing team. UNC has allowed six goals in three games, and five of them have come in the first half.

“We know we have to play better defense,” Shelton said. “It’s a trademark of a Carolina team.”

Although having to come back every game isn’t a great recipe for success, it provides for some exciting victories and some true tests of character.

“We were really lucky to win this game,” Shelton said. “But we had to do something special in order to win it so I am happy for that.”

The Daily Tar Heel

Duke shuts out Maryland for top-3 win at B1G/ACC Cup

EVANSTON, Ill. — Sixty minutes of stalwart defensive play propelled third-ranked Duke field hockey to a 1-0 shutout of No. 2 Maryland Sunday at the B1G/ACC Cup. Duke wrapped up the weekend in Evanston unbeaten at the annual event for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Redshirt senior goalkeeper Sammi Steele tallied four saves and senior back Jillian Wolgemuth added a second-half defensive save as Duke held the Terrapins scoreless on nine shots and two penalty corners. The shutout marked the second of the 2019 campaign for the Blue Devils, who moved to 4-0 on the season.

"Coming up and playing on a Sunday morning with an opportunity like we had today against a great Maryland team was excellent motivation," said head coach Pam Bustin. "Our individual defense has been phenomenal. However, in addition to the great individual defense, we're playing great team defense where we're helping each other out, we're double teaming … That's been really helpful. And of course, Sammi's leadership and just demeanor and confidence in the back, that's irreplaceable. That's something you get in a fifth-year goalkeeper who's had the experience and is as talented as Sammi Steele."

After falling behind early in Friday's 2-1 double overtime victory against 15th-ranked Northwestern, it was the Blue Devils who gained the upper hand in the opening minutes of Sunday's contest. Duke drew a penalty corner opportunity in the 13th minute and took the lead on the play when Margaux Paolino deflected in a hit by Haley Schleicher for her first goal of the season.

Led by Wolgemuth, who was tabbed the ACC Defensive Player of the Week Tuesday, the Blue Devil defense fought off Maryland advances inside the circle in the second quarter. The effort preserved the 1-0 advantage heading into halftime. Shots were 6-2 in Duke's favor at the break.

The Terrapins drove into Duke's circle late in the third quarter, but Steele made two stops and Wolgemuth added a defensive save to protect the lead. Maryland was subsequently awarded a stroke, and Steele was there again with a dive to the top left corner to turn away the shot attempt.

Still leading 1-0 heading into the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils neutralized attacking threats by the Terrapins and weathered a five-minute span down a player due to a yellow card. Duke ran out the clock to wrap up the team's performance at the tournament with two victories over top-15 Big Ten opponents.

"We always have a really close, really tough game with Maryland," Steele said. "It always feels good to come away with a shutout against a good team. I'm just really proud of our defense. I thought we played really well today."

The Terrapins led in shots for the contest, 9-8, and both teams drew two penalty corners each. Maryland goalkeeper Noelle Frost totaled five saves in the loss.

"We're fortunate to be in a tournament so early in the season that showcases such great competition and such a high level of hockey," Bustin said.

Up next, Duke embarks on another road trip, traveling to Iowa City next weekend for a pair of non-conference matchups. The Blue Devils will take on California Saturday at 3 p.m. ET before facing another Big Ten opponent in Iowa Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.

NCAA

No. 2 Maryland field hockey falls for first time this season in 1-0 loss to No. 3 Duke

David Suggs


The Maryland field hockey team wins 5-1 over the Richmond Spiders on Aug. 30, 2019. (Gabby Baniqued/The Diamondback)

As junior defender Bodil Keus stepped up to the penalty spot, the Maryland field hockey team looked set to get on the board in its Big Ten/ACC Cup matchup against No. 3 Duke.

After the Terps recorded just two shots in the first half, it looked as if Duke’s defense — a defense that had conceded two goals in its first three games of the season — would continue to stymie a Maryland offense that had scored 13 goals across its first three games.

However, the reigning Big Ten Defender of the Year’s effort was saved by Duke goalkeeper Sammi Steele — one of three saves that the All-ACC Second Team honoree would make in the third frame.

It was the closest that No. 2 Maryland would get to a goal as the Terps fell to Duke in a tightly contested affair, losing 1-0.

“They had a good amount of pressure on us,” forward Jen Bleakney said, “I think we kind of struggled since they came out so strong.”

With the Blue Devils (4-0) coming off a double-overtime slugfest against No. 15 Northwestern, Maryland (3-1) figured to be in prime position to pepper the Blue Devils’ cage.

However, it was Duke that looked the fresher of the two sides in the first quarter, pinning Maryland into its half and forcing a penalty corner two minutes into the game. Duke scored on the ensuing corner, as midfielder Margaux Paolino found the back of the cage after two strong saves from goalkeeper Noelle Frost.

“They have a front field that is just wicked fast and interchanging,” coach Missy Meharg said. “They came out with a dominant energy, and it really took us a while to get into the groove.”

Duke continued to press on for a second goal, with Frost pushing a Leah Crouse effort away. Meanwhile, the Terps struggled to break through the Duke defense, registering one shot in the period.

“We weren’t necessarily connecting amongst various lines,” Frost said, “and they caught us.”

Frost kept the Terps in the game, though, deflecting forward Olivia Sahaydak’s shot away from goal early in the second period. However, Duke’s defense continued to stifle the Terps, who failed to test Steele.

“We had to play wicked hard defense,” coach Missy Meharg said. “I was really impressed with Noelle Frost.”

Senior defender Kelee Lepage whistled a shot wide toward the end of the second quarter, the second of the Terps’ two shots in the first half — by far their lowest mark of the season.

Given the extent by which Duke’s defense shut down Meharg’s squad in the first half, Maryland’s attack had a mountain to climb to get itself back into the game. And with the Terps failing to record a shot in the first nine minutes of the third frame, it looked as if Duke’s one-goal lead would be insurmountable.

And despite a series of tactical adjustments on the fly from the Terps, helping them enjoy more possession in and around the shooting circle, they couldn’t overcome the deficit.

“I think what was neat was that we found a way to put ourselves in position to tie it up or go ahead,” Meharg said. “We changed up how we pressed in the front field and we changed up how we were bringing the ball out of the back.”

Within a minute, the Terps had forced four saves, with Steele saving defender Riley Donnelly’s effort from the point before pushing midfielder Emma DeBerdine’s effort away from the frame and into the path of freshman midfielder Nathalie Fiechter. With Steele out of position, it looked as if Fiechter was going to notch her first college goal and equalize.

But Duke defender Jillian Wolgemuth got in position and pushed Fiechter’s shot away, posting a defensive save in the process. Shortly thereafter, Maryland was awarded a penalty stroke, but again it came to no avail, leaving the Terps goalless in their first loss this season.

“I’m sure we’ll see Duke again when it comes to NCAAs,” Frost said. “It gives us a realistic look at things that we need to work on.”

The Diamondback

Penn State field hockey remains winless with loss to Delaware

Ryan DePhillips

3
Penn State Women's Field Hockey team celebrates a goal before losing 3-2 during double overtime at the Big Ten Quarterfinals at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. James Leavy

Once again, Char Morett-Curtiss’ team started off strong in the first quarter against a ranked opponent on the road but failed to finish strong.

The No. 9 Nittany Lions should expect to fall in the rankings with a tough 3-1 loss to No. 16 Delaware. The squad continues to struggle to keep up the intensity in the closing quarters of each half this season.

Each team was playing strong on both sides of the ball but failed to convert on scoring opportunities for most of the first quarter. The only exception was when freshman midfielder Paityn Wirth carried the ball seven yards out from the cage and scored the first and only goal for Penn State.

On the defensive side of the field, freshman goalkeeper Brie Barraco made three pivotal saves in the second quarter to keep the lead for most of the half.

However, Penn State’s defense started to collapse on Delaware’s penalty corner opportunities very late in the half. With less than two minutes ago, Baracco could not stop the Blue Hens’ third consecutive corner as the game equalized at one a-piece.

According to Morrett-Curtiss, Delaware’s late second-quarter momentum provided as the dagger to Penn State’s chances of winning the game.

“We did a lot of good early on,” Morrett-Curtiss told GoPSUSports. “But we got away from our game plan late and their defense was good.”

Overall, Penn State’s defense was solid in the first half as they allowed only five total shots. However, the squad lost possession of the ball often with turnovers as the Blue Hens totaled 10 shots in the second half.

Immediately to start the third quarter, the squad’s defense were on their heals as Barraco made two saves to keep the score tied. Not too much longer, however, junior forward Femke Strein scored the game-winning goal off of another corner.

Penn State’s offense continued to struggle maintaining possession of the ball as Delaware’s defense remained persistent. As a result, the squad only got five total shots off all game.

“We were on attack throughout the game but could not get any shots off,” Morett-Curtiss said. “That cost us in the second half.”

Despite a valiant effort by Baracco with six total saves, she allowed another goal in the fourth quarter. At that point, the game seemed out of reach for the Nittany Lions as they failed to gather much momentum.

The young squad will look for their first win against Old Dominion on Friday. It will mark as the first home game and unranked opponent the team will face this season.

The Daily Collegian

Penn field hockey drops opening two games on the road against top-10 opponents

The Quakers were unable to score a goal in either of the games

By Justin Dechiario


Despite her team's 6-0 loss to No. 1 North Carolina on Sunday, senior goalkeeper Ava Rosati notched a career-high 12 saves. Credit: David Zhou

On the road against two top-10 opponents to start the season, Penn field hockey struggled to find its footing.

To begin their year on Friday, the Quakers fell, 2-0, in a tough battle against No. 10 Wake Forest before falling to No. 1 North Carolina by a score of 6-0 on Sunday. After a scoreless first period in the first game, the Demon Deacons (1-3) found the back of the net in the middle of the second period.

The Red and Blue (0-2) locked up on defense after conceding the first goal, as senior goalie Ava Rosati made a bevy of saves to keep it at a one-point deficit. With three minutes left in the contest, however, Wake Forest scored again to go up 2-0 and put the finishing touch on the game.

“All season long, we are going to be facing tough competition,” Rosati said. “Especially with a short preseason, we have to use every game as a learning opportunity and make sure we come out even stronger in the next game.”

Sophomore defender Madison Woods was a bright spot and a feel-good story for Penn. Woods, who suffered a season-ending injury in the second game of the season in 2018, started for the Quakers and made a defensive save, the first of her career, in the second quarter.

“It's been quite the journey since I got injured last year, but anytime I was doing an exercise in physical therapy, or learning how to run again with my workout packet, I kept a vision of taking those first steps back onto the field,” Woods said. “It was even more special knowing how much my team has supported me during recovery, so I almost feel like I have to give it back to them by trying my very hardest whenever I'm practicing or playing in a game.”

Following the defeat to Wake Forest, Penn played the defending national champion Tar Heels (4-0) on Sunday afternoon, dropping the game in a shutout. Once again, the Red and Blue got off to a strong start defensively, holding North Carolina scoreless with six shots and three saves by Rosati.

The majority of the damage came in the second period, as the Tar Heels opened up the scoring at the 18:48 mark. They would go on to score four more goals in seven and a half minutes to take a commanding 5-0 lead after two periods.

“Although we didn't get the outcomes we wanted, I think we did a decent job of communicating with each other and adjusting to the other teams' style of play,” Woods said.

Even with the large deficit, the Quakers came out hot defensively in the second half, keeping the Tar Heels off the board in the third period. With both teams stagnating for most of the fourth, North Carolina added another goal to its total with less than three minutes left in the contest. Rosati compiled five saves in the fourth period and ended the game with a career-high 12.

“It was great to see some freshmen getting solid playing time. The entire freshman class is very strong and bring a whole new level of energy to the team,” Rosati said.

The Quakers will next travel to West Long Branch, N.J. to face off against Monmouth on Friday, as they look to get into the win column for the first time this season.

The Daily Pennsylvanian