BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Princeton University’s Charlotte Valentine (So., Orakei, New Zealand/St. Cuthbert’s College) field blocked a shot 12:23 of playing time as New Zealand could not handle Hungary in falling 15-4 at the Taipei Songshan Sports Center in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) to conclude Group A action at the 29th Summer Universiade/University Games.
Hungary dominated from the opening sprint as the Europeans punched in six goals in the first quarter and two more in the second quarter to snag an 8-0 advantage on the scoreboard by halftime. New Zealand continued to fall behind in the second half as Hungary hurled in four goals in the third quarter and three more in the fourth quarter compared to pairs by the Kiwis’ in the final two frames.
The result drops New Zealand to 0-4-1 in Group A play as the squad previously fell to Indiana University alum Shae Fournier (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Grant Park), current Hoosiers’ standout Kelly Matthews (Sr., Roxboro, Quebec, Canada/St. Thomas) and the rest of Team Canada by a 15-4 count on Friday, August 18. Further, the squad took a 14-10 loss against Japan on Sunday, August 20, and dropped a 23-3 contest against the Russian Federation on Tuesday, August 22. On Thursday, August 24, New Zealand tied the United Kingdom/Great Britain 9-9, as the winless mark drops the Kiwis into the Fourth Place spot in Group A.
New Zealand will next be in action on Saturday, August 26, against Greece in a Ninth/12th Place game. A victory will advance Valentine and her homeland into the Ninth Place game on Monday, August 28, against the victor of a Ninth/12th Place game pitting the United Kingdom versus Argentina. A loss places New Zealand into the 11th Place game also on August 28.
