BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Princeton University’s Charlotte Valentine (So., Orakei, New Zealand/St. Cuthbert’s College) did not score in 10:01 of playing time as New Zealand experienced a 23-3 setback by the Russian Federation at the Taipei Songshan Sports Center in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in both teams’ third game in Group A at the 29th Summer Universiade/University Games.
Russia dominated play from the opening whistle until the final horn in running out to a 4-0 lead after the first quarter and expanding the margin to 11-2 by halftime. Following a 7-0 spurt in the third quarter to enlarge the margin to 18-2 entering the fourth quarter of action, the Russians closed out the game with a 5-1 run in the waning moments of the contest.
The loss drops New Zealand to 0-3 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.
New Zealand will next be in action on Thursday, August 24, versus the United Kingdom/Great Britain prior to completing Group A play on Friday, August 25, against Hungary. The quarterfinals (Saturday, August 26), semifinals (Sunday, August 27) and championship (Tuesday, August 29) rounds are slated for next week.
