#Glasgow2014: Hockeyroos Win Gold
The Hockeyroos have defended their Commonwealth Games title after winning a dramatic penalty shootout 3-1 over England, following a last gasp equalizer to Jodie Kenny in normal time.
England had been within a minute of becoming Commonwealth Champions, before a last chance penalty corner was converted by Kenny to send the match to a decider.
With the final played in torrential rain, the Australians struggled to display the attacking prowess that had seen them breeze to the final conceding only one goal.
England for their part, had learned the lessons from an earlier defeat to the Hockeyroos and defending brilliantly, before taking the lead in the 50th minute through Lily Owsley.
Try as they did, the Hockeyroos couldn’t find a way back into the match and appeared destined for defeat until they received a glimmer of hope with 20 second remaining when they earned a penalty corner. Kenny has been deadly from set pieces all tournament and she took her opportunity with clinical precision to rock England, who must have thought they had one hand on a gold medal.
Australia dominated the shootout with goals to Casey Eastham, Georgie Parker and Madonna Blyth enough for the gold, after Rachel Lynch saved all but one of England’s penalty attempts in a heroic performance.
All that was left was for the team to receive their medals and let the title of 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games champions sink in. WA’s Jayde Taylor and Ashleigh Nelson both played for Australia.