The Black Sticks women have been beaten 5-2 by China in Wellington.
China had a brilliant start to the game scoring in the 9th minute of the game. New Zealand then scored against the run of play with Olivia Merry scoring the goal.
China restored their lead in the 23rd minute as a cross from the left fell to Zhang Xiaoxue who dragged the ball to her reverse and scored with a powerful tomahawk shot.
China doubled their lead with Chen Yang scoring. This was followed by two more in the second half.
The Kiwis only other game came in the 3rd quarter.
The result comes after the Black Sticks lost their opening two games last week via penalty shootouts against China and the USA.
The Black Sticks men’s and women’s teams will resume their FIH Pro League campaigns in late April against Australia and Great Britain in Christchurch.
