Slattery strikes top form at Champions Trophy

The Hockeyroos have missed out on a medal at the 2016 FIH Champions Trophy in London on Sunday, losing their bronze medal playoff against the US in a dramatic penalty shootout.

The third and fourth placed playoff was a thrilling encounter with the Hockeyroos controlling the first half to lead 2-0 early in the third quarter before the US hit back.

Two goals from Katie Bam in the second half helped the US get back on level terms and the two sides couldn’t break the deadlock in a frantic final few minutes of normal time.

Locked up at 2-2, the match went to a penalty shootout to decide who would take home the bronze medal and the US scored the first of their five attempts through Melissa Gonzalez.

Her strike was the only successful attempt as US keeper Jackie Briggs denied Casey Sablowski to hand them a thrilling 1-0 win at the final lead-up tournament prior to August’s Olympic Games.

South Stirling product Kathryn Slattery enjoyed a terrific tournament, scoring four goals in six matches, as she closed in on a maiden appearance at an Olympic Games.

The 22-year-old started on the field in the bronze medal game and was lively throughout, winning the Hockeyroos’ first penalty corner and having a shot on target saved in the first quarter.

She also had two shots in the third term while diving full length that sailed just wide of the goal, and won another penalty corner in the last.

Five players are used in the penalty shootout with Georgia Nanscawen, captain Madonna Blyth, Georgie Parker, Mariah Williams and Sablowski preferred to Slattery.

Slattery’s four goals placed her behind superstars of the game, Argentina’s Carla Rebecchi (7) and the Netherlands’ Maartje Paumen (6) in the top-scorers tally.

The former Tigers and Manypeaks player was pleased with her performance despite the team not getting the result they wanted.

“The tournament went well and we worked on a lot of structures and our way of play leading into the Olympics,” Slattery said.

“We put some good performances on the pitch and definitely took a big step forward as a group.

“Although we didn’t get the result we wanted we will review some areas that let us down and tighten up the screws in those areas.

“I was very happy with my tournament and thought I have put myself in a good position for selection.

“I’m stoked to be scoring some goals and happy with the transition from training to games.”

Slattery scored in the Hockeyroos’ final pool game against Great Britain and was the sole goal scorer against the No. 1 ranked side in the world, the Netherlands.