SOUTH Coast duo Grace Stewart and Mikaela Patterson have helped Australia finish atop their pool at the junior World Cup in Chile.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Jillaroos were made to work for their victory, prevailing 2-1 against the tournament hosts, with Mariah Williams slotting the winner from the field in the 55th minute. Renee Taylor opened the scoring six minutes in from a penalty corner, but Chile found an equaliser before half-time.
Stewart, from Gerringong, was part of the Hockeyroos’ Olympics campaign in Brazil, while Patterson, from Blackbutt, is a rising star in the Australian ranks.
The Aussies scored 10 goals and conceded only two, finishing first in Group C, ahead of England, with Chile and South Africa missing out on quarter-finals action. Jillaroos take on Belgium in the quarter finals on Thursday morning (AEDT).
“Going into the Quarter-Finals we have to start well from the beginning,” Williams said. “That’s how we will improve on our performances.”