The Hockeyroos have firmed up their grip on a top four spot in the FIH Pro League standings with an impressive 5-1 win over New Zealand in Auckland on ANZAC Day.
With a handful of senior players missing with injury, Coach Paul Gaudoin handed a Test debut to 17-year-old VIS scholarship holder, Amy Lawton.
Grace Stewart scored a brace after goals from Kaitlin Nobbs (2’), Emily Chalker (21’) and Savannah Fitzpatrick (31’) set up the victory in the Hockeyroos’ first away fixture of their FIH Pro League campaign.
While the Kiwis created more chances, Australia's finishing was far more clinical, bagging a goal in every quarter.
Goalkeeper Rachael Lynch was a hero in the net, the VIS athlete pulled off a number of saves and only conceded a contentious goal late in the first half from Deanna Ritchie.
The result cements Australia's fourth position in the nine-nation league, with the leading four teams qualifying for the semi-finals in late June.
In a quirk of the draw, the Hockeyroos played their first eight League matches on home soil and play their last eight on the road - they face second-placed Argentina in Buenos Aires this week.
