Britain grabs first ever gold in women’s hockey

Britain was thoroughly outplayed, yet weathered everything the star-studded Netherlands team could muster.

Somehow, the British escaped the onslaught and got to a shootout with the game tied at 3-3 after regulation. Maddie Hinch did not allow a goal in the shootout, and Hollie Webb scored the clincher for Britain to claim its first gold medal in women's field hockey.

The Netherlands was trying to become the first nation to win three consecutive gold medals on the women's side Friday night. The Netherlands had five players who were pursuing their third gold.

After Helen Richardson-Walsh's penalty stroke, Hinch took care of business in the goal.

Just getting the match to penalty strokes bordered on the miraculous, but Britain had developed a habit of closing strong throughout the Rio Games. The British were outshot 17-2 in the first three periods, yet trailed just 3-2. Britain's Nicola White scored midway through the fourth period after a rebound on a penalty corner to tie the match.

Britain held on and left it in the capable hands of its goalkeeper.

The Netherlands attacked hard from the beginning, as usual. The Dutch were awarded a penalty stroke with 9:24 remaining in the first period after contact in the circle, but Hinch blocked Maartje Paumen's shot to keep the match scoreless. Britain came back three minutes later when Owsley tapped one in off a rebound.

Kitty van Male's high shot over Hinch evened the score early in the second period.

Maartje Paumen scored on a penalty corner, but Britain's Crista Cullen scored 42 seconds later to even the score again.

Van Male scored again on a deflection on a penalty corner midway through the third period, then White scored to force the shootout.

First ever gold for Britain’s hockey girls