Scotland Women lose first game of four away to Spain
Challenge (women): Spain 3, Scotland 0 (San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain)
Goalkeeper Nicola Cochrane was outstanding despite Scotland’s women losing 3-0 in the opening fixture of their four-game challenge against Spain.
The Edinburgh University and Great Britain under-23 stopper made a string of saves to deny the eager Spanish side who are preparing for the Olympic Games in Rio.
Scotland were 1-0 behind at the break in Alicante and lost two second-half goals in just over seven minutes.
They did have chances with Bex Condie (Birmingham University), Nikki Lloyd (Wimbledon HC) and Robyn Collins (Surbiton) coming close from penalty corner awards. Spain’s goals were scored by Maria Contardi; Cristina Guinea; and Beatriz Perez.
Coach Gordon Shepherd admitted there was room for improvement, particularly defensively. The next encounter between the two takes place tonight.
Spain forced five penalty corners but a positive note for Scotland was that the hosts failed to convert and all of their counters came from open play.
Shepherd said: “We set a target of being competitive with Spain this week and hopefully we can do that.
“After today we have things to sort out but this was a fair result and we have room for improvement.”
Spain
1 LOPEZ DE EGUILAZ ZUBIRA Maria (GK)
3 YBARRA Rocio (C)
5 GUTIERREZ Rocio
6 PONS Julia
7 PETCHAME Carlota
8 SALVATELLA Carola
9 LOPEZ GARCIA Maria
11 GUINEA Cristina
12 GARCIA Maialen
13 MAGAZ Alicia
14 TOST Maria
15 CONTARDI Maria
16 RUIZ Maria (GK)
19 MARAÑA Patricia
20 GINE Xantal
21 PEREZ Beatriz
24 GARCIA Begoña
29 JIMENEZ Lucia
Scotland
1 EADIE Jennifer
2 COCHRANE Nicola (GK)
6 WARD Becky (C)
7 BRODIE Amy
9 ROBERTSON Katie
12 WATSON Charlotte
13 HOWIE Heather
14 MARSHALL Kareena
16 MERCHANT Rebecca
17 JAMIESON Sarah
18 McGILVERAY Susan
19 LLOYD Nikki
21 HOWIE Alison
25 HOLMES Kate
26 COLLINS Robyn
27 BURNET Fiona
28 CONDIE Rebecca
32 CAMLIN Lucy (GK)
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- Approaching the business end of the premierships
- Watsonians women and Edinburgh University men still hold Premiership pole position
- Top rung of women`s Premiership now underway
- Scottish Hockey launches new strategy: Shaping the Future of Hockey in Scotland
- Scottish Cup quarter-final outcomes
- Vacancies - Performance Pathway
- Action packed day of youth hockey at Glasgow National Hockey Centre
- Slight change at the top of the men`s Premiership
- Scotland women qualify for FIH World Cup for first time since 2002
- Scotland women to play for bronze after losing to England in FIH World Cup Qualifiers

