The Black Sticks celebrate Anna Willocks' goal that gave them victory against the United States in the second test at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Auckland, 20 January 2025. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Anna Willocks scored just 90 seconds from fulltime to give the Black Sticks Women their second win over the United States in as many days in Auckland.
The New Zealand side beat the Americans 3-2 at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Monday after winning the first test, 1-0, on Sunday.
The Black Sticks scored first in the second quarter on Monday, with Paige Blake getting a touch on a reverse cross from Breana Catley to send the ball past US goalkeeper Kealsie Reeb in the 27th minute.
The Americans hit back in the third quarter, scoring two goals, but the Black Sticks stepped up their attacks when the US were hit with a five-minute yellow card.
Blake scored in the 49th minute from a penalty corner deflection to level the scores and the Kiwis attacked strongly in the late stages, winning four consecutive penalty corners before Willocks scored after latching on to a reverse pass from Kaitlin Cotter.
The match was Casey Crowley's first as captain, after Hannah Gravenall led the team on Sunday, while Jaimee Eades made her debut. Britt Wang, Julia Gluyas, Mezzy Surridge and Millie Calder all made their debuts in the first test, as the Black Sticks signalled a rebuilding phase.
