Hockeyroos and Germany Play Out Six Goal Thriller

The Hockeyroos including NSWIS scholarship holders Kaitlin Nobbs, Jocelyn Bartram, Mariah Williams, Grace Stewart, Courtney Schnoell, Zoe Newman and Maddy Smith, have wrapped up their Sydney leg of the FIH Pro League 2022-23 Season with an entertaining 3-3 draw against Germany, the Europeans securing the bonus point with a win (2-1) in the shootout.

The result meant the Hockeyroos took points from all four of their matches at Sydney Olympic Park as attention now turns to the next FIH Pro League series in Hobart starting on 28 February.

After defeating Germany 3-0 on Sunday, the Hockeyroos led three times but the Europeans found a response on each occasion.

The Hockeyroos made a dream start when they opened the scoring inside the first minute. Maddy Fitzpatrick’s drag flick from a penalty corner proved too hot to handle as it stung the gloves of German goalkeeper Noelle Rother, the ball finding its way across the goal line.

Both teams had an appetite for the contest with the goalkeepers on high alert at both ends.

Jette Fleschutz squandered a golden chance to draw Germany level when she had just Hockeyroos goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram to beat but flashed her shot over the crossbar.

Just as the Hockeyroos were breathing a sigh of relief, a turnover coming out of defence from the next play allowed Germany in again and this time they would equalise with Cecile Pieper knocking the ball in.

Brooke Peris restored the Hockeyroos’ lead with a moment of individual magic she made space for herself at the top of the attacking circle and drilled a fierce shot into the top corner to put the Hockeyroos ahead going into half time.

Germany came close to drawing level within a minute of the resumption, neither side able to add to their goal tally in the third quarter.

Then just as they did a night earlier against China, Germany started the last quarter ominously and Fleschutz made up for her earlier miss to expertly direct her shot on the angle into the backboard to make it 2-2.

Jocelyn made a sharp save at her near post to keep out Kira Horn’s effort from near the baseline as the Europeans continued to threaten.

Looking to arrest the momentum back, the Hockeyroos went ahead again when Steph Kershaw finished off a superbly worked team move that she started, with Claire Colwill and Peris instrumental in the build up.

With five minutes to go Germany removed their goalkeeper and it paid dividends as Sara Strauss struck with three minutes to go to set up a grandstand finish.

Neither side could find a late winner as the match went into a shootout where both goalkeepers showed their class, Germany doing enough to win it 2-1 after five shots each.

Reflecting on the team’s four matches, Hockeyroos Head Coach Katrina Powell was pleased with the overall outcome, which saw three players make their international debuts.

“Going into this mini tournament, if we had of thought we’d come away with as many points as we have from these games, we’d be really satisfied,” Katrina said.

“We’ve shown over the course of the week that we’re a threat in shootouts as well. I’m really pleased with the progress the group has made over this series.”

“It has been a really enjoyable experience, we’ve played some good hockey, scored some good goals and we’ve still got things to work on, but we’ll definitely take confidence from this into Hobart.”

“We trialled some different players in this series and that will continue in Hobart. That’s another bonus on top of the improvement we have made here.”

“I think the takeaway from here is about the consistency…putting our way of play on the pitch and not drifting in and out of matches or between matches.”

“To be able to review and analyse this series and then make improvements for our next competition in Hobart with new players coming in provides a great opportunity for progression in our way of play.”

The Hockeyroos will next play in a FIH Pro League series against Argentina and the USA in Hobart from 28 February – 5 March. The series will be part of double headers with the Kookaburras joined by Argentina and Spain in the Men’s FIH Pro League mini tournament.

Match Details
Hockeyroos 3 (Fitzpatrick 1’, Peris 22’, Kershaw 54’)
Germany 3 (Pieper 8’, Fleschutz 46’, Strauss 57’)
Germany win shootout 2-1
@ Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre

Hockeyroos: 1.Claire Colwill, 2.Rosie Malone, 3.Brooke Peris, 4.Amy Lawton, 5.Grace Young, 6.Penny Squibb, 10.Maddy Fitzpatrick, 13.Hattie Shand, 14.Stephanie Kershaw, 15.Kaitlin Nobbs (c), 16.Courtney Schonell, 18.Jane Claxton, 19.Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 24.Mariah Williams, 29.Rebecca Greiner, 30.Grace Stewart, 42.Maddi Smith
Unused substitute: 41.Zoe Newman (gk)

Article courtesy of Hockey Australia