27 Oct 2014

USA beat Black Sticks, win series

12:41 pm on 27 October 2014

The national women's team have been defeated 3-1 by the USA at the Wairarapa Hockey Complex in Clareville on Sunday, giving the Americans a 3-2 series win.

Rose Keddell and Sophie Cocks of New Zealand fight for possession with Katelyn Falgowski

Rose Keddell and Sophie Cocks of New Zealand fight for possession with Katelyn Falgowski Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The crowd of 1,300 were celebrating when Gemma Flynn gave New Zealand the lead in the second quarter, but the game changed after the half-time break when the experienced USA side scored three times in five minutes.

The Black Sticks coach Mark Hager says his side lacked desperation and needed to score more goals.

"Sam Charlton was a stand-out player for this tournament, we have exposed a lot of players during this series and I'm sure they will go away and realise that it's really tough to get wins against a side like this," said Hager.

The Black Sticks women will play trans-Tasman rivals Australia next month from 15-18 November in Wellington.