Hockey women pile on the goals

In a dream start, New Zealand romped past Kenya 16-0 to open the defence of their Commonwealth Games women’s hockey crown in devastating fashion.

No less than nine New Zealanders got on the scoresheet as the hapless Kenyans were unable to make any impression at all.

Olivia Shannon (3), Alex Lukin, captain Olivia Merry (2), Frances Davies, Stephanie Dickins (2), Megan Hull (2), Alia Jaques (2), Kaitlin Cotter (2) and Rose Tynan scored. Nine of New Zealand’s goals came from field goals, six from penalty corners and one from a penalty stroke.

The New Zealanders manufactured 49 shots at goal, the Kenyans just one.

New Zealand goalies Brooke Roberts and Grace O’Hanlon were little more than bystanders.

The goals were evenly spread – New Zealand led 3-0 at quarter-time, 9-0 at halftime and 12-0 at three-quarter-time.