Match One: NZ Women vs Aussie Stingers
From New Zealand Water Polo:
The New Zealand Women opened their International season with Match 1 against the Australian Stingers in Canberra last night. The Stingers have been together in camp at the AIS for over six weeks and will be together for a total of 3 months before they are dispersed to their clubs for the Australian National League.
The Kiwis opened the match well. Kate Enoka scored the opening goal of the match from the outside with a precision lob. The Stingers through the middle stages of the first quarter peppered the goal but a good zone defense and quality goal keeping from graduate Jessica Milicich kept them at bay until Zimmerman opened the Stingers account. Emmerson Houghton with 1.13 remaining in the quarter scored to regain the kiwis lead. However the Stingers came immediately back and picked up two late goals to take the lead at 3-2 at the end of the first quarter.
Stingers were able to get there counter attack going in the second quarter, picking up two more goals before a steal from Bernadette Doyle lead to Emily Nicholson drawing a penalty that Houghton converted from her second attempt when she regained her initial shot. Some solid field blocking defensively followed before Doyle scored from the outside on 6-6. The Stingers replied with a man up goal and two possessions later the home team scored from counter before Houghton replied from the penalty earned at set. The Stingers closed out the quarter with a 6-6 goal to lead at the half 8-4.
The third quarter introduced Bridget Layburn to the game whom was strong in the goal when she substituted for the solid performance of captain Jessica Milicich. Houghton (NZL) and Webster (AUS) traded goals twice before the counter attack of the Stingers picked up two more, giving the home the advantage 12-6 going into the last quarter.
Kate Enoka scored the opening goal of the final quarter from man up but the Stingers replied immediately from 6 on 6. Teams then traded goals before the Stingers scored again from counter. The final goal of the match went to Enoka from the man up advantage. The final score 15 to 9 to the Australian Stingers.
NZL SCORERS: E Houghton 5, K Enoka 3, B Doyle 1.
A very solid first hit out by the Kiwis against the World number 3 side, Australia. All New Zealand athletes battled hard and showed quality team work with plenty of grit and determination.
NZ High Performance Manager Kurt Goldsworthy stated that " it was a great to see both 6 on 6 offence and defense where strong points for the team today. The movement on attack was difficult to defend. The ability to play as a collective and patience demonstrated at both ends was very pleasing as the team commence this seasons journey."
The second Test will be on Thursday at 8PM NZ time.
The NZ Women’s side includes 14 representatives from 5 Auckland clubs:
Libby Alsemgeest - Atlantis City
Chantelle Conroy - Waitakere
Bernadette Doyle - North Harbour
Emmerson Houghton - Waitakere
Kaitlin Howarth - North Harbour
Kirsten Hudson - Atlantis City
Bridget Layburn - North Harbour
Gabby Macdonald- Waitakere
Morgan McDowall- Hibiscus Coast
Katie McKenty- North Harbour
Gabbie Milicich - Marist
Jess Milicich - Marist
Emily Nicholson- North Harbour
Natalie Seabourn- North Harbour
The women have two more matches against the Stingers this week before returning to New Zealand.