Hockeyroos Eliminated in Olympic Quarter Final

Hockey: Australia v New Zealand
Athlete: Kathryn Slattery
Venue: Olympic Hockey Centre

The Australian women’s hockey team has been knocked out of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games at the quarter final stage after New Zealand posted a clinical 4-2 win on Day 10.

Western Australian Kathryn Slattery scored both goals for the Hockeyroos to end the tournament as the country’s top scorer, but it will be of little consolation as Australia failed to progress to the semi final stage in Brazil.

Australia had the better of the opening period but failed to convert their early chances and fell behind to Anita McLaren’s pinpoint penalty corner conversion midway through the first quarter.

Kelsey Smith made it 2-0 before the break and the world number four New Zealanders had control of the contest.

Slattery halved the deficit early in the third quarter to give the World Cup silver medallists hope but New Zealand responded quickly, restoring their two goal advantage through Gemma Flynn before going 4-1 up through Olivia Merry’s low deflection to effectively seal the match.

With 90 seconds remaining, Slattery doubled her tally with a late goal, shooting into the roof of the net after pouncing on a loose ball from close range.

At the final siren, New Zealand’s players celebrated their success, whilst many of the Australians were left in tears, knowing their Olympic campaign was at an end.

The match marked Adam Commens’ last game in charge of Australia’s iconic women’s hockey team as he relocates to Belgium for family reasons following the Olympic Games.