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All the news for Monday 12 April 2021

2020 FIH Pro League (Men) - 12 April
Cenard, Buenos Aires

10 Apr 2021     ARG v IND (RR)   2 - 2 (S/O 2 - 3)
11 Apr 2021     ARG v IND (RR)   0 - 3

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Pool Standings

FIH Match Centre

 
Dominant India crush Argentina to complete excellent weekend in Buenos Aires



Eight times Olympic gold medallists India recorded a comprehensive 3-0 triumph over reigning Olympic champions Argentina in the second FIH Hockey Pro League meeting between the two teams in Buenos Aires on Sunday (11 April).

Goals from Harmanpreet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Mandeep Singh gave the visitors a deserved triumph over Los Leones, adding three more points to the two they claimed against the hosts in Saturday’s 2-2 draw and subsequent victory in the shoot-out, which earned them a bonus point.

It was a tremendous result for India, who have climbed up to fourth place in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings, moving one point ahead of Australia having played the same number of games. India, Argentina and Australia will play against each other at the forthcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, where they have been drawn into Pool A alongside Spain, New Zealand and home favourites Japan. Argentina sit sixth in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings, with 11 points from 12 games.

Argentina started brightly and would have been ahead were it not for some excellent saves from India goalkeeper Krishan Pathak, who twice denied Martin Ferreiro before Harmanpreet converted India’s first penalty corner chance of the game in the 11th minute.

Lalit doubled India’s advantage when he showed lightning quick reactions in the second quarter, pouncing on a save from Argentina custodian Juan Vivaldi to slot home, giving the visitors a deserved reward after a lengthy period of probing possession.

The result was confirmed two minutes from the end of the contest when Mandeep Singh fired home from close range, losing his footing but keeping his composure to guide an backhand effort into the net.

"I think we defended well”, said India goalkeeper Krishan Pathak, who was named Player of the Match. “They are good in defence but we created a lot of chances. We scored the goals, so that is good for us. We have to work on a lot of things, in defence but in midfield also. We have to learn from this match. Today we did a lot of good things, but we still have to work [to do]."

More information on the game can be found by clicking here.

The FIH Hockey Pro League will return to action in May, with 22 matches scheduled, all of which will be played in Europe. More information can be found by clicking here.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

FIH Hockey Pro League - Men
Sunday 11 April 2021 – Buenos Aires (ARG)

Argentina 0, India 3 [Match 2 of 2]
Player of the Match: Krishan Pathak (GK - IND)
Umpires: German Montes de Oca (ARG), Irene Presenqui (ARG) and Carolina de la Fuente (ARG - video)

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Official FIH Pro League Site

Indian hockey team dominates Argentina in FIH Pro League

Goals from Harmanpreet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Mandeep Singh helped the Indian hockey team register an outright win over the Olympic champions in regulation time.

By Naveen Peter



The Indian hockey team recorded a comprehensive 3-0 win over reigning Olympic champions Argentina in the FIH Pro League at the CeNARD sports complex in Buenos Aires on Sunday.

In a match that was largely different from a day ago, India grew in confidence as the match progressed and called the shots to pocket three more points to the two they earned on Saturday.

Goals from Harmanpreet Singh (11th minute), Lalit Upadhyay (25th minute) and Mandeep Singh (58th minute) were enough for India as they leapfrogged Australia to the fourth spot on the points table with 15 points from their eight games.

Argentina started the match brightly and should have taken the lead in the opening minutes of the match.


Harmanpreet Singh gave India the lead from a short corner. Photo: Hockey India

Capitalising on a Harmanpreet Singh error, Nicolas Keenan drove into the Indian striking circle to set up Maico Casella with a crossfield ball. The 23-year-old, however, couldn’t sound the board as Indian goalkeeper Krishna Pathak was on guard closing the angle on the Argentine.

The Indian defence looked in trouble as Argentina bossed the midfield with the likes of Ignacio Ortiz, Matias Rey and Augustin Bugallo putting the visitors under pressure to win back possession.

Krishna Pathak, playing his 50th match for India, ensured that nothing went past him with some top draw saves that had his senior pro PR Sreejesh pumped on the bench.

Martin Ferreiro was denied twice from a close range while Lucas Vila got no time to take a shot before the ball was stolen from under his stick.

While Argentina couldn’t make their dominance count, the Indian hockey team capitalised on its only surge in the opening quarter.

Building on a turnover, Dilpreet Singh did well to find an Argentine foot inside the striking circle for a penalty corner which was despatched off by Harmanpreet Singh to hand India the lead. The Indian drag flicker kept his take low and targeted the gap between goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi and the last man for his goal.

There was more drama in the opening quarter as Argentina came close to drawing parity time and again.

Harmanpreet Singh’s questionable defence was exposed by the hosts with Nicolas Keenan having a go at the Indian goal repeatedly.

But Krishna Pathak enjoyed a phenomenal time in the Indian goal as the youngster ensured that he signed off his milestone day with a clean sheet.


Lalit Upadhyay doubled India’s advantage in the third quarter. Photo: Hockey India

The Indian hockey team grew into the tie as the match progressed and was duly rewarded for its persistence midway through the second quarter.

With Argentina staying deep, India were forced to give up their high-octane game and resort to patient build-up. Cossfield balls became more prominent as India looked to stretch their opponents in search of openings.

One such move saw the Indians eke out some space on the right. Though Vivaldi saved the initial effort, Lalit Upadhyay displayed great awareness to pounce on the rebound to help India double the advantage.

While the Indian hockey team continued to look for more goals despite a two-goal cushion, its goalkeepers ensured that Argentina didn’t find a way back as PR Sreejesh, who alternated with Pathak throughout the match, matched his understudy with some fine saves of his own.

Later, Mandeep Singh sealed the deal for India with a late strike from close range.

India will play two more practice matches against Argentina before travelling to London next month to go up against Great Britain in the FIH Pro League.

Olympic Channel

India beat Argentina 3-0 to go fourth in Hockey Pro League

By Ali Iveson


Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring in India's 3-0 victory ©Getty Images

India beat Argentina 3-0 in the Hockey Pro League in Buenos Aires to pile on the misery for the men's Olympic champions.

The visitors had overcome Argentina in a shootout yesterday, but were convincing winners in regulation time on this occasion.

India leave Argentina with five points from a maximum of six and are up to fourth in the table, having leapfrogged Australia.

India now have 155 points form eight games - Argentina have 11 from 12.

Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring from a penalty corner - just as had been the case 24 hours ago.

Argentina searched for a way back into the match but could not find one, and Mandeep Singh put the icing on the Indian cake in the 58th minute by scoring a third goal.

India have two games scheduled against Britain next month, while Los Leones have endured an underwhelming month which began with back-to-back home defeats against Germany.

Inside the Games

India crush Argentina 3-0 to jump to fourth spot in FIH Pro League

Argentina sit sixth in the standings, with 11 points from 12 games


Harmanpreet Singh. File photo

The Indian men's hockey team registered a comprehensive 3-0 win over reigning Olympic champions Argentina in the second match of the FIH Pro League here to jump to the fourth spot in the points table.

Goals from Harmanpreet Singh (11th minute), Lalit Upadhyay (25th) and Mandeep Singh (58th) on Sunday gave the visitors a deserved triumph over Los Leones, adding three more points to the two they had claimed against the hosts in Saturday's shoot-out, which earned them a bonus point.

By this win, India, with 15 points from eight games, climbed up to fourth place in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings, moving one point ahead of Australia having played the same number of games.

India, Argentina and Australia will play against each other at the forthcoming Olympic Games, where they have been drawn in Pool A alongside Spain, New Zealand and home favourites Japan.

Argentina sit sixth in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings, with 11 points from 12 games.

Argentina started brightly and would have been ahead had it not been for some excellent saves from India goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, who twice denied Martin Ferreiro.

Harmanpreet then converted India's first penalty corner of the game in the 11th minute.

Lalit doubled India's lead when he showed lightning quick reactions in the second quarter, pouncing on a save from Argentina custodian Juan Vivaldi to slot home. The strike gave the visitors a deserved reward after a lengthy period of probing possession.

The result was confirmed two minutes from the final hooter when Mandeep fired home from close range, losing his footing but keeping his composure to guide an backhand effort into the net.

"I think we defended well," said India goalkeeper Pathak, who was named Player of the Match.

"They are good in defence but we created a lot of chances. We scored the goals, so that is good for us. We have to work on a lot of things, in defence, in midfield also.

"We have to learn from this match. Today we did a lot of good things, but we still have to work (to do)."   

India will next travel to Great Britain for the two-leg tie on May 8 and 9.

The Tribune

2021 Test matches AUT v SUI - 11 April
Wiener Neudorf (AUT)

Men

10 Apr 2021     AUT v SUI     2 - 0
11 Apr 2021     AUT v SUI     3 - 2

Women

10 Apr 2021     AUT v SUI     3 - 0
11 Apr 2021     AUT v SUI     2 - 1

FIH Match Centre

Irish hockey ace Chloe Watkins says team used to ‘nobody being at’ their games ahead of Olympics

Nicola Bardon


Chloe Watkins is looking forward to the Olympics Credit: Inpho

IRISH hockey star Chloe Watkins has said an empty stadium at the Olympics will be familiar as she and her teammates are used to ”nobody being at” their games.

The 29-year-old from Killiney, Co Dublin, was among the 2018 squad became the first Irish team to ever make it to a World Cup final.

But while training last year for what was supposed to be the 2020 Olympics in Japan, Chloe fell ill.


Chloe and Anna O’Flanagan at 2018 homecoming Credit: Sportsfile


Chloe and teammates celebrate qualifying Credit: Sportsfile

She said: “It was around February last year, I had heart palpitations but they were getting a bit worse, for longer periods of time as well, it was keeping me out of training and it was fatiguing.

“With the weather conditions for Tokyo it was going to be quite intense and stressful so I was advised to get a small procedure done.

“So I was just after my four-week recovery period and then Covid hit and everything got postponed and pulled.

“On the flip side it’s given me an extra couple of months to fully recover and get back because it was quite a tight time schedule I suppose.”

'VERY LUCKY'

Speaking of her condition, she said she was “very lucky” to get diagnosed and get her surgery before Covid caused havoc on the hospitals.

She said: “It’s really uncomfortable, I had one or two palpitations for about 45 minutes and it was just really debilitating. Touch wood I’ve been so far so good, I feel great.

“It’s worked a charm so I’m delighted to have been able to get it fixed and get back training.

“So many elective surgeries and that kind of thing got pulled, and there would be no guarantee I would be able to get it done now because it wouldn’t be a high priority so I really was very lucky that I got in when I did and I got seen when I did.”

Chloe and her teammates are training for the European Championships this June, which will also be a World Cup qualifier, and then head to Tokyo in July.

However, there will be no family members or any Green Army, as the pandemic restrictions mean only local Japanese fans can attend.

'DISAPPOINTING'

Speaking about her family, with her dad Gordon and brother Gareth both winning caps in hockey for Ireland, Chloe said: “It’s disappointing for them, they’ve been on our journey for as much as we have.

"They’ve been through the low tough times and there was this exciting event for them to look forward to and experience as well so that is disappointing for them.

“But for us as a squad, we’re just so grateful we’re allowed to compete and competing is the main thing for us.

“We’re well used to nobody being at our hockey matches so it’s not going to change too many things, we’ll be fine.”

And she is hoping if they bring home a medal, it will once again help hockey in Ireland.

SURGE IN INTEREST

There was a surge in interest when the ladies made the World Cup final in London in 2018, with young women signing up around the country.

Speaking as part of FBD’s focus on Team Ireland athletes, she told the Irish Sun: “I never would have thought hockey could grab the attention of so many people I suppose.

"It’s always been an aim of our squad to be a legacy with the next generation and the next group of hockey players so it was so great to see the impact of the World Cup.

“There were new players signing up around the country in areas that weren’t necessarily hockey areas.

“So that was so great to hear and hopefully we can go to the Olympics and showcase it a bit more and generate more interest for young girls and boys.”

The Irish Sun

Black Sticks relieved to have Sam Charlton back

Suzanne McFadden


After a 'bizarre' 2020, including a wedding, surgery and a new job. Sam Charlton has been back training with the Black Sticks for two months with a renewed energy. Suzanne McFadden/Newsroom

One of the most capped Black Sticks players in history, Sam Charlton, is seeing her hockey career through fresh eyes.

It wouldn’t have been a shock had Sam Charlton decided to wind up her Black Sticks career a few months ago.

So much has happened in the 251-test defender’s life since the Tokyo Olympics were put on hold for a year.

She found a full-time job she loves, one she never imagined doing: helping residents at a drug and alcohol treatment centre to lead healthier lives.

She now has a husband, marrying Black Sticks veteran Marcus Child in December. (She’s still debating whether she’ll have a new name on her back for this weekend’s North versus South series; her New Zealand team-mates reckon 'Charlton-Child' has a posh ring to it).

In a parallel universe, the couple would have been on their honeymoon in Italy right now.

And the 29-year-old Charlton also has an upgraded knee, undergoing surgery for a split meniscus suffered in a club hockey match last July, and is just coming back to match fitness.


Sam Charlton, in one of her last games for the Black Sticks, vs Argentina in February 2020. Getty Images

So, when her husband decided not to go to another Olympics, pulling the pin on his own 172-cap career to focus on a new career managing frozen foods for Foodstuffs, Charlton admits she thought about retiring too.

“But I’m pretty stubborn.

“I gave quite a lot to my rehab for my knee, and I don't think I would have done that if I hadn’t intended to keep playing.” A third Olympics – and with that, the chance of winning an elusive medal – kept beckoning.

“I decided I'll give it a go and see what happens. I think last year taught us there's a lot of things you can't control, so you just have to take every opportunity that arises.”

After 11 years in the side, it's put a fresh spin on the sometimes repetitive nature of training for Charlton. And Black Sticks coach Graham Shaw is happy to have a player he calls "a phenomenal athlete and team leader" back in the frame.

While the worldwide halt in international hockey has been frustrating for the Black Sticks – they haven’t played a test in 14 months - it’s turned out the timing couldn’t have been better for Charlton.

For one, it’s allowed her to sink her teeth into her new career. A qualified nutritionist who'd been working with young athletes, Charlton now runs a ‘living well’ programme at Odyssey House, an addiction treatment centre in Auckland. She helps design menus for the residents undergoing treatment, and manages the Odyssey Café, where recovering residents work and learn new skills.

“It’s so rewarding getting to help people who are in a super vulnerable place in their lives,” she says.

“I never thought this was where I’d end up, but it’s been really awesome learning so much about a whole part of life and the community that I didn't really know existed.”

But it wasn’t easy finding work. As New Zealand was plunged into Level 4 lockdown a year ago and the Black Sticks couldn’t train, Charlton struggled. “I honestly applied for everything and anything – I couldn’t even get a job washing dishes.” Until this role came up, filling in for someone on maternity leave.


New Zealand hockey player and Olympic ambassador Sam Charlton and students at St Mary's College. Supplied

She was working full-time at Odyssey House until January, when she cut down to four days a week. From today, it’s down to three days and she’ll stop altogether in June to fully concentrate on the Tokyo Olympics in July.

But it’s an area she’d really like to return to. “Understanding how you can make a long-term meaningful impact takes a while,” she says.

Charlton’s recovery from surgery has taken a good degree of time and patience too.

"I've been really lucky there haven't been [immediate] milestones I had to reach like ‘there’s a test match in two weeks and I can't play’. When your recovery lags and you've got international competition coming up, it just adds an extra layer of stress," she says.

“It’s not that there hasn’t been stress this time, I've had plenty of moments where I’ve had a bit of a breakdown, and been like: ‘Oh my goodness, I'm so far behind’.”

Charlton has been there before – she injured the same knee in the final of the 2018 Commonwealth Games when the Black Sticks won gold.

“There was a quarter to go when I tore my meniscus quite badly. But they repaired it and I was back playing a World Cup maybe 13 weeks later. It was really quick,” she says.

“And it honestly gave me no trouble for two years. Then just when we came out of a lockdown, I was playing a club game and kind of felt a really similar feeling – but this time it split. It’s been a bit trickier and a lot more kind of grumbly coming back from it.”


Black Stick Sam Charlton fights for the ball with Australian Jane Claxton in the 2018 Commonwealth Games final. Getty Images

Charlton had hoped to be back to full training in the first week of this year, and she recalls coach Shaw was “a little shocked” when she turned up further behind the eight ball.

“It’s been a pretty long road, and not an easy one for her,” Shaw says. “The knee in hockey can be a particularly tricky injury and you don’t want to rush coming back. But I really admire the way Sam’s approached that.

“She’s not only an outstanding person to have in the environment, someone who leads the team really well. But just to get back such a quality hockey player on the field – the athleticism, the individual ability she brings to the team, is just second-to-none.

“She’s a phenomenal athlete, who covers a frightening amount of ground, and you miss that a lot when you don’t have someone like that on your team. I’m just so pleased for her, and her team-mates, that she can get back on the field, because she’s such a team player.”


Black Sticks star Sam Charlton tries out her skills with a hula hoop. Supplied

Although she's done most of the rehab work alone, Charlton certainly felt the love of her team-mates, especially those in Auckland.

“Grace [O’Hanlon] and Liz [Thompson] live up the road and Fran [Davies] lives down the road - in the first part of my recovery they’d drop me in baking and stuff,” she says. “Then I went down to the premier league to commentate on some of the games and that was really nice to see everyone again.”

Tauranga-born Charlton, who first played for New Zealand in 2010, is itching to play for North against South at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton this Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. The games double as Olympic trials.

While the Black Sticks are now back in centralised training at North Harbour, and have been playing against local boys’ sides on Tuesdays, this will feel closer to test hockey.

“It's pretty tricky to replicate the pressure of an actual game in our training and we're all very competitive. Once we’re playing in something that resembles our regions, we get very proud and we want to win. So I think they’ll be really competitive games, which will be cool," she says. “I played a club game last week and I kept saying to the girls, ‘I'm so nervous – but excited’."


NZ Olympic Ambassador Sam Charlton takes a photo with kids from Campbells Bay School. Getty Images

So the biggest question remains: will the Olympics actually go ahead?

“The closer you get, the more you realise this is actually happening,” Charlton says. “What’s starting to become clear is it's not going to be the same as Rio or London.”

As one of New Zealand’s Olympic ambassadors, Charlton was at a training workshop recently where three-time Olympic medallist Barbara Kendall pointed out to her how special it would be.

“She really expressed that, yes, it's wild and crazy and very stressful, but what a cool moment in history. You'll be the people who went to the wacky Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” Charlton says.

“And at the end of the day, if you win a gold medal, no-one's going to be like, ‘Oh, it was that one, you know’. You’ve still got that gold medal.”

As Charlton turns up to the Tuesday afternoon Black Sticks training, there’s a buzz in the team as the transTasman bubble date is set for April 19. It means they may finally get a test or three against Australia before the Olympics.

“Ideally the scenario would be that we could also travel through there on the way to Tokyo,” Charlton says. “It’s been bizarre coming to terms with not knowing when your next game is going to be.”

The Black Sticks coaches feel the same way.

“These girls are used to playing 25 internationals a year. But to play no games in 14 months is a real challenge,” Shaw, a former Irish international, says. “We feel they’re tracking really well – they’re as fit as they’ve ever been – but until you come up against another nation, you just don’t know.

“The girls came back in January and have been getting stronger and stronger. A real credit to them. It’s not easy to keep training. I really admire the physical shape they’re in.

“I just want a game now to test exactly where we’re sitting.”

Stuff

From rugby lover to making the Hiha name proud



Despite scoring a crucial goal to help the Central Falcons win the inaugural Premier Hockey League, Sam Hiha wasn’t expecting a call up to the Vantage Black Sticks. He’d loved to have been able to share the news with his grandmother and legend of the game Margaret Hiha who passed away just months before.

What was it like being named in the Vantage Black Sticks for the first time?

I wasn’t expecting it at all. It caught me completely off guard but it was the most incredible feeling.

I was at home with my girlfriend Kelsey when I got the call, and my flatmates were all around to share the news with.

The first people I called were my parents. Mum missed the call and she had to wait an hour to hear the good news. They were stoked, and so happy for me.

You’ve previously been in the New Zealand development squad but what’s the main difference you’ve noticed in the step up to the Vantage Black Sticks?

I suppose it’s the consistent loading. In the past I’m used to a few full-on weeks and then a break away. So day-in day-out you’re thinking about hockey, and I think the fact your body is always under loading is one of the biggest adjustments.

There’s also that personal accountability, about being really disciplined with things like your nutrition. It’s all about having the mindset that there’s a much bigger goal in mind.

You grew up loving rugby and even played through to your first year at high school. When did hockey become your main focus?

I always wanted to be an All Black. I loved rugby and didn’t pick up a hockey stick until intermediate. I made the Hatch Cup and Ross Shield (Hawke’s Bay primary school rugby) teams and actually chose to pursue rugby.

But once I got to high school everyone was 20kg heavier than me so I decided to focus on hockey.

Both my siblings Savanna and Matt and my dad Shane all play hockey, and last year we all played together for Tākitimu at the Māori tournament. But Mum is my no.1 supporter.

Your grandmother Margaret Hiha sadly passed away last year. What influence did the former Black Stick, Hockey NZ Life Member and Hawke’s Bay sporting matriarch have on you?

She had a huge influence on myself and so many others. There’s no doubt she’s one of the main reasons we picked up a hockey stick when we were young. It was a huge loss last year, but there was a really good tribute to her at the Māori tournament.

She contributed so much to hockey, and was a huge part of my hockey career.

People say “oh you’re a Hiha, of course you play hockey.” Once I became more aware of what my family had achieved in hockey, I put that pressure on myself to make them proud.

What do you do when you’re not playing hockey?

It’s good to switch off and get away from hockey. I like to catch up with friends, go golfing and fishing, and when I go home (to Hawke’s Bay) Dad and I go deer hunting.

I’m in my second year working at engineering consultancy WSP – doing stormwater engineering. They’ve been really supportive of my hockey, allowing me to reduce my hours and have time off to train.

You’re not naturally flexible, and have struggled with hamstring issues in the past. How have you overcome this?

I didn’t have any injuries until my second year out of high school when I blew my hamstring in the build up to NHL. It was a bit of a wake up. I’d just recovered from that and then the other hamstring went.

That meant 18 months or so putting a lot of effort into my conditioning. I’ve always been tight  – I’m not the most flexible guy – so my biggest focus is just making sure my body is loose.

Hockey New Zealand Media release

If it wasn’t for a chance sleepover



Off the back of a strong Premier Hockey League, Anna Crowley is one of two new caps in the Vantage Black Sticks squad. From the famous Crowley sporting family of Taranaki, she may not have ever picked up a hockey stick if it wasn’t for a sleepover at Hope Ralph’s house.

How did you react to being selected for the Vantage Black Sticks?

It was crazy. I wasn’t going to answer the phone as it was an unknown number but I did and Graham (Black Sticks Head Coach Graham Shaw) said it was a “good” phone call.

It was such a surprise. I was lost for words and I think I said to Graham something like “actually” in case he’d got it wrong. It was a dream come true and I burst into tears as soon as I got off the phone.

I Facetimed Mum and Dad straight away. I was very teary so Mum thought something bad had happened, and I said no they’re happy tears. After I told them they shed a few tears as well. It was such a special moment as all my brothers were there and the family was all together.

Going into the Sentinel Homes Premier Hockey League I had no inkling at all. I just wanted to get into the Performance Network.

You’ve looked up to many of the current Vantage Black Sticks and even had selfies with a couple of them as a teenager. How was that first day at Black Sticks training?

I was very nervous walking up the stairs at training but everyone gave me a big hug and welcomed me. The older girls have been so welcoming and what’s really great is that there’s a good core of young players at the moment. I’m just keen to learn and develop as much as possible.

When the Vantage Black Sticks started training in January they hadn’t been together since March 2020 and now there’s been two lockdowns in Auckland. How weird have the first couple of months been?

It was cool to be together for a whole month before the first lockdown. We’d just got off Sir Owen Glenn’s boat after watching the Prada Cup for a day. Holly and Hope (fellow Black Sticks Holly Pearson and Hope Ralph) and I left Auckland around 9pm and we got home around 2.30am. It was a big drive.

The lockdown disruption has been difficult but our leaders (management and experienced players) have been awesome. They’re always checking in to see if we’re OK and that we know what we should be doing.

While we were all home we got together in Palmerston North for three days of training – all the girls from Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu.

You played loads of different sports as a teenager but were enticed into hockey after a sleepover at Hope Ralph’s place. What made you choose hockey?

I’ve known Hope since I was four and when I was about 10 I was having a sleepover at her place and her Mum asked me to fill in for the hockey team the next day. I was already playing a thousand sports – netball, rugby, cricket, squash, tennis, swimming – so when we asked my Mum, she said I was doing enough sport.

Anyway I played in the game, ended up in a Taranaki trial and so we had to confess to Mum. She said “Righty ho Anna – you’re playing hockey now.”

I’ve gone on and played with Hope and Holly at Sacred Heart Girls’ College, for Taranaki age group teams, and for New Zealand Under-18 and Under-21.

The Crowley name is sporting royalty in the ‘naki. Was there pressure on you to play at the top level?

It hasn’t been like that – there was no pressure at all. Mum and Dad just wanted us to go out and have fun. They’ve given us such a great life and they’re always so supportive. They’ve gone the extra miles or done an extra milking to get us there.

I suppose sport runs in the family with Mum playing netball for Taranaki, Dad playing rugby for Taranaki and for New Zealand Sevens, and my brother Logan also plays Mitre 10 Cup rugby.

Mum and Dad have always been there for me and it was a no brainer that they would be the first people I’d call when I got selected. Mum helps with the emotional side of things and Dad with sporting advice like “keep a cool head”.

You’re now flatting on Auckland’s North Shore with Hope, Holly and five others but your roots are in the family dairy farm at Pungarehu, 40 minutes south of New Plymouth.

I don’t really like the big city so it’s great being in Milford just five minutes from the beach. When we get a week’s break I head home and love getting out on the farm – driving the tractor, drenching the calves, mulching the paddocks and milking the cows.

Like many of the girls who come off a farm I think it makes you not only physically tough but more resilient as well.

Hockey New Zealand Media release

The Marlborough man who put us on the world map


Andy Rowe with fellow Marlborough administrator Denise Lloyd. Credit: Stuff Ltd.

Andy Rowe led Kiwi efforts to bring world-class hockey to our shores over the past decade. But the Air Force engineer from Blenheim has never forgotten that the grassroots is what drives and grows our game.

For someone who has chaired the Major Events Committee since its inception you’d think the highlights of Andy Rowe’s 10 years on Hockey New Zealand’s Board would feature a shopping list of world-class events that we’ve hosted.

From the last minute request from the FIH to host the 2011 Champions Trophy to the new FIH Hockey Pro League which New Zealand has been a successful host of since it started in 2019, we’ve certainly stamped our mark on world hockey events in the past decade.

Despite being one of the main drivers behind our hosting successes, Rowe knows what he’s most proud of and that’s the growth of our grassroots game over the 10 years pre-Covid.

“We’ve achieved 11 years of year-on-year participation growth. We’re the only sport in the country that I’m aware of which has done that through all the ups and downs of the last decade.”

“The Vantage Black Sticks and our big events are absolutely crucial and they’re our flagship but it’s really important we stay in touch with the grassroots that drives and grows the game.”

Rowe, who finishes up on the Board at this month’s AGM, knows his grounding in the grassroots game stems from the fact he is one of only a few Hockey NZ Board members to come one of the country’s smaller Associations – Marlborough.

“When I put my name forward I saw representation from smaller associations as a gap in the Hockey New Zealand Board. We can be geographically isolated, most of our good players will eventually leave, and we might think differently.

“But none of us know all the answers. You just have to have a pragmatic view of what’s best for the sport”, says the aircraft engineer.

“In engineering you have to find a solution. You can’t make the piece of steel go somewhere it doesn’t want to go so you have to compromise and find a way around things with an end goal in sight.

“Just a dumb engineer” but a deep thinker

Rowe jokingly describes himself as “just a dumb engineer” but those who have worked closely with him describe the Marlborough man as a deep thinker who will always ask the insightful questions. They also say he has a really open and engaging style with an ability to connect with all.

“I enjoy people. I like to enjoy what I’m doing and that rubs off on people around me. I enjoy the way I operate and the outcomes that brings.”

“We’ve got an amazing group of people at all levels. The camraderie you get through a sport is really noticeable in hockey.”

Rowe’s love of hockey began at Otaki College before joining the Air Force and moving to Blenheim. After his playing and coaching days it wasn’t long before he joined the Board of Marlborough Hockey and was soon project managing the installation of a sand turf and years later a water turf.

“My wife Marion said she felt like she was a hockey widow. We were having the Association meetings at our house so I didn’t think that was a fair comment,” he chuckles.

The kids and grandkids all played a bit of hockey, adding “they didn’t have a lot of choice as my wife is a nurse so they had to come to hockey”.

Bringing the Black Sticks to Blenheim

One of the things Rowe believes Hockey NZ has done incredibly well is to move the Vantage Black Sticks matches around the country including bringing them to his beloved Blenheim in 2015 to play the classy Argentinian women.

“It’s given smaller areas some exposure – the Cromwells, the Blenheims and the Nelsons. The model and thinking behind it is really good. I just keep getting asked when’s the next game here in Blenheim.”

His first major event was the Owen G Glenn FIH Men’s Champions Trophy in 2011 which New Zealand took on with only a few months’ notice following the FIH’s decision to move the tournament from India.

“We got a call to say there’s an opportunity with 14 weeks’ notice. We navel gazed for about three seconds and then said of course we can. It wasn’t necessarily our best event, we’ve got better at it but for a first up it was pretty good. It was a clear case of Kiwi can-do attitude to deliver a world-class event in such a short space of time.”

Rowe says it’s fantastic to now host the annual FIH Hockey Pro League but our challenge is to increase spectator numbers once the competition returns post Covid.

Another of his achievements is leading hockey’s Strategy Delivery Review which looked at in his words “why we do what we do and who is responsible for what”.

“We’re way ahead of most sports in terms of being willing to lead a review of our own sport and make changes that are best for our players. The Performance Network came out of that.”

Rowe sees the main challenges ahead for hockey are financing the professional side of the game, and ensuring the sport’s growth is not just in numbers but in capability.

“Covid also has to change the way we think in terms of what are the things we really need to focus on. The nice to haves aren’t going to be so easy in a post-Covid world.”

While Rowe’s enjoying his semi-retirement in the Marlborough Sounds, he feels he still has plenty to give to the sport.

“I’ve put my name in the hat for a position on the Oceania Board. I’m always keen to help – I just haven’t told my wife.”

Andy Rowe

Hockey NZ Board member 2011-2021
Marlborough Hockey Chair and Life Member
Marlborough representative player and coach
Royal NZ Air Force coach and player, and NZ Combined Services coach
Awarded RNZAF Gold Badge for contributions to hockey – highest RNZAF sporting award

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Field hockey falls short in last home game, loses to UNC in overtime 3-2

The Cavaliers came back from two goals down with five minutes left but allowed the Tar Heels to score the winning goal in overtime

By Harry Farley


Without Hausheer guarding the net, the Cavaliers would have been in deep trouble. Courtesy Virginia Athletics

In the last home game of the season Friday, the No. 12 Cavaliers (6-11, 1-4 ACC) couldn’t complete the comeback and lost to the No. 1 Tar Heels (14-1, 4-0 ACC) in overtime.

North Carolina notched back-to-back goals in the second quarter, leading 2-0 at halftime. Junior forward Erin Matson was the star of the game, scoring all three goals for the Tar Heels en route to a hat trick.

The Cavaliers used consistent pressure to stay afloat. Virginia outshot North Carolina 16 to 14 and had seven penalty corners to the Tar Heels’ three.

Sophomore midfielder Adele Iacobucci cut the lead in half with a deflection in the third quarter. Then, sophomore striker Laura Janssen tied the game up with 4:45 remaining in the fourth quarter with a deflection.

Matson scored just 58 seconds into overtime, propelling the Tar Heels to their fourth win in ACC play this season. Despite the loss, junior goalkeeper Lauren Hausheer was a bright spot for the Cavaliers. Hausheer made eight saves, keeping the Cavaliers in the game for most of the afternoon.

“I’m very proud of the team’s effort today,” Coach Michele Madison said. “Their mindset to compete was what you need to have to beat the number one team. They came out to win the game.”

The Cavaliers will play their final regular-season game Friday at Syracuse at 4 p.m.

The Cavalier Daily

No. 11 Maryland field hockey drops to .500 after 2-0 loss to No. 5 Michigan

Shane Connuck


Forward Mayv Clune flicks a ball up the field during Maryland field hockey's 2-0 loss to Michigan on April 11, 2021. (Joe Ryan/The Diamondback)

Michigan senior Halle O’Neill handled a penalty corner insertion early in the fourth quarter. She swung a pass to the other side of the circle, finding Katie Anderson. The junior forward fed the ball right over to Anouk Veen, who launched a rocket into the back of the cage.

The Wolverines on the pitch jumped around and hugged each other. Their fans in the bleachers erupted in cheers. And after video review overruled the goal that was initially waved off, Michigan jumped out to a 2-0 lead over Maryland field hockey, one it wouldn’t look back from on a scorching hot, sunny early afternoon.

The Terps outshot the Wolverines, 13-6. Maryland drew seven penalty corners against its opponent’s three. Goalkeeper Noelle Frost didn’t have to make a save. Yet it was the No. 5-ranked team in the nation that prevailed, downing coach Missy Meharg’s squad after an impressive Anna Spieker performance.

“I feel a little déjà vu from yesterday’s game from a standpoint of dominating the stats,” Meharg said.

The Terps seemed to lack leadership as senior captain Brooke DeBerdine missed the first match of her Terps career due to injury. And in the absence of its star player, Maryland succumbed to a more opportunistic Wolverines side.

Michigan’s offense quickly began attacking. It drew a penalty corner just 52 seconds into the match, and Kayla Reed nearly buried the shot. Under a minute later, it missed again from another corner.

After the Wolverines’ explosive start, neither team could get much offense going for most of the first quarter. Maryland drew its first corner 11 minutes in, and a Taylor Mason shot was blocked.

Early in the second quarter, the Terps earned a pair of corners themselves. Both times, Riley Donnelly took the shots, and each of them missed.

“We’re just not on target from beginning to end,” Meharg said.

And just over five minutes into the second quarter, Maryland thought it had the breakthrough it needed. The Terps crowd in the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex thought it did, too. But groans were heard around the facility when Mayv Clune’s shot fell just off the mark.

As Maryland’s crowd lamented the miss for a moment, the Wolverines drove down the pitch. And Michigan forward Tina D’Angollel flipped a shot into the cage past goalkeeper Noelle Frost, bringing the Wolverines’ contingent on the right side of the bleachers to life — and giving them a 1-0 lead.

Meharg challenged the play, but video review deemed the challenge unsuccessful and D’Angollel’s goal stood.

As the second half got rolling, the Terps tried to cut through Michigan’s defense. Early in the quarter, Clune fired a shot that was calmly dealt with by Spieker.

Maryland drew a corner in the third quarter, as well. But once again, Spieker came up big, stuffing Donnelly’s attempt to keep the Wolverines one-goal edge intact.

“We could’ve been more effective in the way we push out and execute on corners,” midfielder Nathalie Fiechter said.

Another penalty corner opportunity presented itself in the dying moments of the frame, offering the Terps a chance to show off a new look. Donnelly teed the ball up, eventually falling into the path of Mason.

But she couldn’t find a corner and the ball sailed wide.

The Terps took the pitch for the fourth quarter, seeing themselves down 1-0 on the scoreboard despite holding a sizable advantage on shots (10-4) and penalty corners (5-2).

And the Wolverines would soon pounce on Maryland’s inefficiency in front of the cage.

After several passes, Veen rifled a bouncing shot into the cage, igniting the Wolverines’ crowd. It needed a review, but Michigan led 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining

Maryland had a final foray forward, but couldn’t capitalize on any clear chances — dropping its second straight to the Big Ten-leading Wolverines.

“We had a lot of shots today, a lot of corners,” Fiechter said. “We need to work on capitalizing on them.”

The Diamondback

No. 10 Field Hockey Earns Fourth Straight Top-10 Win



PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 10 Rutgers continued its hot play, earning its fourth straight win over a top-10 foe as it downed No. 4 Northwestern 3-2 in overtime in a dramatic back-and-forth match on a rain-soaked Senior Day Sunday. The Scarlet Knights honored lone departing senior Gracey Butsack in a pregame ceremony, then sent her off with a victory in thrilling fashion.

Katie Larmour scored the game-winning goal in overtime for RU. Liz Romano and Bridy Molyneaux also scored for RU in the game.

The Wildcats tallied first, scoring just 3:40 into the game off of a penalty corner opportunity. The Scarlet Knights would then answer back just before halftime. Larmour inserted the corner, and the senior Gracey Butsack set up the ball for Liz Romano to hammer home the equalizer.

In the third quarter, Rutgers took the lead for the first time on a beautifully executed play. Kassidy Shetler sent a long pass into the circle to the freshman Bridy Molyneaux. After recieving the pass, Molyneaux put a move on her defender and finished a hard shot to give RU a 2-1 lead.

This time, it was Northwestern that had the answer. On an offensive opportunity, Rutgers denied the Wildcats initial two chances, including a defensive save from Abby Regn. However, the Wildcats finally poked the ball through to tie the game at 2-2. That score would hold through regulation, and send the teams to overtime.

In the extra session, Rutgers capitalized early on a penalty corner opportunity. Katie Larmour inserted the corner, and Milena Redlinshoefer sent it back to her at the back post, where she scored to set off the celebration.

"We talked about what we were going to do if we had that first corner opportunity in overtime," Larmour explained. "I saw the opportunity and I took it. I'm just glad that we were able to put the ball in the back of the net, and ultimately it was a real team effort to get us to that point."

The Scarlet Knights have just two regular season games left, coming at Maryland. They are back in action on Thursday night before finishing out the regular season on Saturday.

Postgame Quotes

"Emotions were definitely running high on Senior Day. It was great to come out and get a good team win, I couldn't be happier. We came back from a rough start and answered with two goals. And then going into overtime, we are so confident in our overtime group. There wasn't a doubt for us that we could get the win. These wins are huge for us, we've been working for this for so long and this has been the best season that I have ever been a part of here. We won these last two weekends, and we're excited to take that forward into next weekend. Getting to win these last four games at home, I couldn't be more proud of this team."
- Gracey Butsack

"This was a really well fought game. We dug deep, regardless of the conditions, and I'm so proud of how we came out on top. We worked so hard in the fall and heading into the season with conditioning and fitness, and that's all coming together, which is so rewarding. It is so satisfying to see that Rutgers is a team that people notice now. This program has come so far and Meredith Civico and the rest of the coaching staff have worked so hard to get us to where we are today. And finally, Rutgers is here. Coming off these four wins and being undefeated at home this year is just the best feeling ever."
- Katie Larmour

Postgame Notes
- Rutgers has won four straight games against top-10 opponents, sweeping No. 9 Penn State and No. 4 Northwestern in back-to-back home weekends.
- It marked the eight win over a top-10 team in the last three seasons.
- The Scarlet Knights are undefeated at home this season (6-0), the first time the program has been unbeaten at home in a season since 1976.
- With two goals this weekend, Romano is now tied for the team with four goals.
- Katie Larmour now has six assists, taking over the team lead.
- Senior Gracey Butsack earned an assist on her Senior Day. The lone member of the team that will depart following the season, she has a career-high five assists this season and has four goals and nine assists in her 65-game career.

Scarlet Knights

Penn State field hockey earns 2nd shutout against Indiana, sweeps Hoosiers

Kailee Warner


Penn State's Sophia Gladieux (3) during the game with Maryland. Nittany Lion field hockey lost a hard-fought 3-2 game to the visiting Terrapins in the series finale between the two teams on March 14, 2021 at the Penn State Field Hockey complex. Photo/Mark Selders Courtesy of Penn State Athletics

For the second time in as many games, Penn State shutout its opponent en route to victory.

The Nittany Lions held Indiana scoreless, just as it did Friday afternoon, to secure a 3-0 victory Sunday and move above .500 on the season.

The blue and white came out strong with solid passes, earning it a corner in the first minute of the game.

Around the eight minute mark, Penn State earned another corner.

The blue and white decided to try the same play that scored the game-winning goal during its first contest against Indiana, and it proved to be a successful gameplan.

After a short pass to the left of freshman forward Sophia Gladieux, she was set up for her signature reverse shot which went in the cage, giving Penn State its first goal of the game.

This was the only goal scored in the first half so the Nittany Lions went into the break with a 1-0 advantage.

With five and a half minutes left in the third quarter, senior forward Bree Bednarski found a wide open space to take a shot that found its way into the bottom left corner of the goal cage.

Penn State went into the final quarter of the game leading the Hoosiers by two, a lead from which it would not look back.

Gladieux was given an opportunity when she was wide open with possession in Indiana’s circle and she took it.

With Gladieux’s second goal of the game, this increased Penn State’s lead to the final result of 3-0.

Entering Saturday, Penn State needed its offensive surge from Friday night to continue.

Here are some takeaways from the game.

Defense held down the fort

With both games of the Indiana series ending in shutouts, Penn State’s defense did its job to say the least.

Holding Indiana to just four shots in Sunday’s affair, the blue and white’s defense was able to prevent shots from even occurring, meaning sophomore goalkeeper Brie Barraco was not particularly busy.

Junior Anna Simon, sophomore Elena Vos, sophomore Meghan Reese, redshirt freshman Kelsey Love and Barroco made up the Nittany Lions’ defense Sunday afternoon.

Vos had good patience in the backfield, waiting for the right time to apply pressure and return the ball to Penn State’s offense.

Scoring early, then often

Oftentimes, Penn State consistently outshoots its opponents, but whether those attempts turn into goals is a different story.

Many times, the Nittany Lions get shots off and get corners, but they are unable to do anything in either of those areas. Such was not the case against Indiana.

The blue and white outshot the Hoosiers 21 to four and earned 13 corners while Indiana got two.

When in doubt, tire them out

Penn State utilized a big passing game with constant triangular passes that switched the field back and forth.

The Nittany Lions kept Indiana’s players running beside them, just to pass the ball off to one another at the last possible minute. It was very strategic and seemed to work to Penn State’s advantage.

The speed from the blue and white was an important factor in this contest as its players were running circles around Indiana’s while constantly beating them to balls.

Passing has been one of the Nittany Lions’ biggest strengths this season and they used it to their advantage to get their second shutout win in as many tries against Indiana.

The Daily Collegian

'We're not done': Duke field hockey takes down No. 3 Louisville in shootout

By Jake C. Piazza


Sophomore Hannah Miller ended the contest with her shootout score. Photo by Courtesy of Nat LeDonne/Duke Athletics | The Chronicle

It was the kind of ending that sophomore Hannah Miller will never forget.

After still being tied after two overtime periods Saturday afternoon, No. 15 Duke and No. 3 Louisville went into a shootout at Jack Katz Stadium, and Miller decided it was time to end the contest. She dribbled the ball toward the left side of the goal, but instead of flicking a backhander, Miller busted out a 360 spin and rifled the shot into the net to win the game 4-3.

“It was amazing,” head coach Pam Bustin said. “I think the way we’ve been competing lately and the way that we’ve been really putting ourselves under pressure at practice, at some point it was gonna turn that way and we took it to the wire and I’m really proud of the team for staying so engaged and staying so on task with what they had to do to earn that win today.”

The frenzy of celebration that erupted in the ensuing seconds after the game-winning goal was all the more rewarding, considering the Blue Devils (4-11, 2-3 in the ACC) have fallen on the wrong side of five of their earlier overtime games this season. Miller's triumphant fist pump seemed to signify the culmination of a year's worth of hard work.

“We have a young team as far as that’s concerned,” Bustin said in reference to the other overtimes losses. “Many of them haven't experienced this over time and our leadership is still developing and we just kept working on it. We practiced it, we watched video. You just try to get better at different game scenarios and try to increase our hockey IQ.”

One of the Blue Devils who exemplifies exactly the kind of growth Bustin is speaking of is freshman goalkeeper Piper Hampsch. To start off the fall season, the Hopedale, Mass., native had a string of games with a sub .600 save percentage, but slowly started to find her way and eventually recorded two shutouts by the end of the fall.

As the calendar continued on to spring, Hampsch continued to improve, with her two season-defining moments coming April 2—with her 19 saves against North Carolina—and Saturday against Louisville (12-5, 2-3)—with her seven saves in regulation and overtime and game-saving stops in the shootout.

“[Hampsch] does continue to develop,” Bustin said. “I just was joking with her that her heart rate is like zero. It’s so low. She’s got a good open mind about what she’s gotta do and she just stays present in it and I think that is one of her strongest qualities.”

Hampsch’s composure under pressure was in full light Saturday. Although Miller may get all the glory for actually delivering the game-winning goal, it was Hampsch’s acrobatic save against Mercedes Pastor’s shootout attempt that set Miller up to seal the deal.

Pastor had already bested Hampsch earlier in the shootout, but on her second attempt, Hampsch would not be fooled again. As Pastor approached the goal, Hampsch pressured the Louisville forward, forcing an errant shot.

While Hampsch and a slew of other freshmen have been the key story of the 2020-21 season, Saturday’s victory would not have been possible without the veteran presences of Noor van de Laar, Libby Thompson and Eva Nunnink, who each tallied a goal.

The Blue Devils only have one regular season game left against Boston College this upcoming Saturday, and are still very much in play for an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament.

And while the future may be unclear, Bustin has plans for how to use this game for the future.

“We’re not done. This process is continuing. This is about the long game for us so there are still things that we’ve got to look at, evaluate and get better from today.”

The Duke Chronicle

Field hockey finishes strong on the Farm

By Jeremy Rubin


Stanford field hockey played what was potentially its final home competition ever on Sunday, downing Cal 3-0. The program is one of 11 sports Stanford announced would be cut following the 2020-21 academic year. (Photo: Save Stanford Field Hockey)

In what was Stanford’s final home game at the varsity level, No. 18 field hockey (7-0, 5-0 America East) continued its run of dominance in 2021. The Cardinal, behind two goals from senior attacker Corinne Zanolli, downed Cal (2-6, 1-4 America East) 3-0.

In a continued protest of the university’s decision to discontinue the sport following this academic year, the team played in uniforms with “Stanford” crossed out by black tape. Many spectators wore 36 Sports Strong shirts in solidarity with the athletes on the field.

Opponents have shown support, as well. UC Davis, Stanford’s opponent on April 9, wore “Save Stanford Field Hockey” shirts during lineup announcements. According to Save Stanford Field Hockey, the Aggies’ head coach reached out to organizers looking to purchase the shirts for the team.


(Photo courtesy of Save Stanford Field Hockey)

On Sunday, Zanolli got the scoring started at the 12:30 mark in the first period on an assist from senior midfielder Kaylie Mings. Just under 10 minutes into the next frame she followed it up with another score — her 11th of the season.

Senior midfielder Frances Carstens’ score with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth all but sealed the game in Stanford’s favor.

The Cardinal finished with its fourth shutout in seven games this season. Junior goalkeeper Hannah Santos was flawless in her five attempts as the last line of the defense. Stanford outshot the Golden Bears 16-11 overall and 10-5 on goal as it maintained its status as the sole remaining undefeated team in the America East conference.

With just under one week left in its regular season, Stanford will travel to the East Coast for three games, the first of which is set for Thursday at 11 a.m. PT against Maine (5-3, 5-1 America East).

The Stanford Daily