BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Princeton University’s Charlotte Valentine (So., Orakei, New Zealand/St. Cuthbert’s College) did not score in 10:02 of playing time as New Zealand suffered a 14-10 defeat by Japan at the Taipei Songshan Sports Center in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in both teams’ second game of the 29th Summer Universiade/University Games.
Japan pulled away in the first half by outscoring New Zealand 4-3 and 5-2 in the first two quarters, respectively, to grab a 9-5 lead by halftime. New Zealand was unable to rally back in the second half as the teams both scored three times in the third quarter and twice in the fourth quarter to maintain a four-goal final margin of victory.
The loss drops New Zealand to 0-2 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.
New Zealand will next be in action on Tuesday, August 22, against Russia prior to facing Great Britain (Thursday, August 24) and Hungary (Friday, August 25) to complete group play. The quarterfinals (Saturday, August 26), semifinals (Sunday, August 27) and championship (Tuesday, August 29) rounds are slated for next week.
