FIH Hockey Pro League Scouting Report: USWNT vs. New Zealand
by USA Field Hockey
In anticipation of the U.S. Women's National Team's upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League matches, here is a scouting report you’ll want to review before the starting whistle.
Game Day:
Friday, February 17 at 9:10 p.m. ET & Friday, February 24 at 9:10 p.m. ET
Opponent:
Location:
Livestream:
Head-to-Head:
The last time that No. 16 USWNT and No. 9 New Zealand met was february 2020 in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Christchurch, New Zealand. While tested early and often, USA’s defensive unit was frequently up to the task, but two second half goals dampened the red, white and blue’s hope to it tie late in the contest, which concluded 3-1 in favor of the Black Sticks.
| Head to Head |
|
27 Previous Matches |
| |
| 15 | Won | 8 |
| 51 | Total Goals | 43 |
What You Need to Know:
New Zealand missed last season's FIH Hockey Pro League due tot he country's strict COVID-19 lockdown but returned to major international action at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup Spain & Netherlands 2022. The Black Sticks were quick to remind everyone of their qualities, winning a pool containing England, India and China before a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Germany in the quarterfinals resulted in a very creditable fifth-place finish. A fourth-place finish at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games arrived in painful circumstances, with the 2018 gold medalists suffering shootout losses in both the semifinal against England and bronze medal match against India. The team is co-captained by ace striker Olivia Merry and key defender Megan Hull, who will lead a talented but relatively inexperienced group into battle. Aside from the Liz Thompson, who will is on the verge of joining the 200 club, the 256-capped Merry has almost three times as many caps as any other player in the squad. However, the likes of Hull, goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon, Olivia Shannon and Frances Davies are all proven at this level.