Australian Open U20 World Championships with win over local rivals New Zealand
Australia have started the 2024 WL Womens U20 Championship with a bang, downing great rivals New Zealand to kick of Pool C play.
Australia jumped out the gates early scoring the first 4 goals of the game with Ocea Leavy scoring 2. However, New Zealand responded with keeper Sam Crowther thwarting Australia whilst Sienna Neill saw the Kiwi's cut the lead to 4 - 3. Holly Dini steadied Australia late though to give Australia a 5 - 3 quarter time lead. The second quarter saw the game slow down with neither side able to edge ahead as the sides traded goals, however a devasting burst of 3 goals before the hald saw Australia race to a 10 - 4 half time lead.
Australia carried that momentum into the second half with Miriam Suares-Jury bracketing the half time break with 2 goals as Leavy added 2 more goals to her tally to give Australia a handy 14 - 4 lead at the final change. New Zealand got a couple back in the last quarter to momentarily to cut the margin to 9 but 2 more Leavy goals and with Marley Dawson controlling the middle, Australia pulled away again to earn the 18 - 6 win.
Australia will now take on Scotland on Saturday while New Zealand will look to bounce back against Italy.
