Double Stewart Magic Seals Hockeyroos Victory

The Australian Women’s Hockey team have edged past a relentless South African side to open their Paris 2024 campaign with a 2-1 win.

Australia head coach Katrina Powell forecast the match to be a tough, unpredictable opening affair given it was the first time the two sides had met in two years.

The Hockeyroos have won their last four matches since 2014, the most recent at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games where Australia claimed a 5-0 victory. 

But the Hockeyroos lined up with almost half their side making an Olympic debut, and South Africa were similar, adding mystery to the match.

South Africa had come out firing, catching Australia’s defence wide open and consistently seeking a moment to strike. 

Hockeyroos goalkeeper and NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete Jocelyn Bartram, in her first Olympic appearance, was tested early and held strong.

The South Africans found space and in a one-on-one battle, South Africa’s Kayla de Waal grasped the opportunity, her strike handing South Africa the lead right before the first break.

A rousing quarter-time chat saw the Hockeyroos come out strong in the second, taking just 15 seconds to answer with a goal.

Off a fantastic run and pass by Mariah Williams, Steph Kershaw drove the baseline before striking with a backhand tomahawk. NSWIS athlete Grace Stewart beat the keeper with a deflection to level the score with her 62nd international career goal. 

The decisive strike came in the third after early pressure from South Africa who narrowly missed their opportunity off a penalty corner. 

Australia earned a penalty corner straight back and off the push in from NSWIS athlete Grace Young, Tatum Stewart gave her strike plenty of power. Bouncing off South Africa’s first runner, the ball tipped in the right direction to hand Australia the crucial lead.

Carrying the momentum through the rest of the match, South Africa didn’t let up, holding their defensive striker as Australia pushed for a third but as the clock counted down, Australia held firm to claim a much needed opening win.

“It was very tough,” Kaitlin Nobbs said post-match.

“They came out with a lot of energy and we tried to match it, but I think we built really well into the game and eventually got the result.”

The Hockeyroos face a swift turnaround before they take on Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Great Britain tomorrow, in what will be a tough match between two evenly ranked sides.

Article courtesy of Kristina Eddy