This Article is From Oct 13, 2010

Nicole inspires Aussies to hockey gold

Nicole inspires Aussies to hockey gold
New Delhi: Australia won their second successive Commonwealth Games women's hockey gold with a nerve-wracking 4-2 win over New Zealand on penalties in the final on Wednesday.

Jessica Nicole scored the winner while Krystal Forgesson missed her attempt in the penalty shoot-out after the scores were tied 2-2 at the end of the regulation period and extra-time.

The defending champions, ranked one rung over New Zealand at six, were tested by their gritty trans-Tasman rivals in the high-intensity clash played before a sizeable crowd at the sun-baked Major Dhyan Chand stadium.

The victory -- Australia's first in a major tournament after their gold in the 2006 Melbourne Games -- turned out to be a sweet send-off for coach Frank Murray, who is set to quit after the event.

It was Nicole who put Australia in the lead in the ninth minute after converting a penalty corner with a searing drag-flick that tore past Kiwi keeper Beth Jurgeleit.

The Kiwis missed a close chance to level the scores shortly before the end of the first-half with Anna Thorpe failing to put the ball in despite having just the goalkeeper to beat.

But New Zealand bounced back in the second-half and scored the equaliser through striker Samantha Harrison who converted a short corner off a rebound in the 48th.

Australia struck again to take a 2-1 lead after Asleigh Nelson converted a penalty in the 59th, only to see the Kiwis level the scores just at the final hooter off a Clarissa Eshuis strike.

It was New Zealand's best Games result, eclipsing the bronze medal they won in 1998 in Kuala Lampur.
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