Nelson Scores as Hockeyroos Draw

WAIS athlete Ashleigh Nelson opened her Champions Trophy goal account on Tuesday night as the Hockeyroos drew 2-2 with China at Sydney Olympic Park.

Nelson was one of three WAIS athletes who took the pitch eager to ensure their side remained in the hunt for the Champions Trophy title, with both Hope Munro and Fiona Boyce also taking part in the crucial match.

The match was a tight affair initially with neither side able to put a goal in the back of the net. Australia’s best chances came from three first half penalty corners but China’s goalkeeper was equal to the task and denied the home side.

It was left for Nelson to break the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half, with the 22-year old latching onto a cross from Casey Eastham and putting the ball past the Chinese custodian.

The game came to life from that point with China equalising not long after to tie the scores at 1-1 in the 50th minute. A Eastham penalty corner conversion in the 57th minute saw Australia’s lead restored but the Chinese kept up their intensity and eventually managed to snag the equaliser in the 65th minute.

The Hockeyroos result means it will be a tough ask for them to qualify for the weekend’s final,  with matches against England on Thursday and The Netherlands on Saturday to come.