Shaking off the ring rust they showed in their opening-match defeat to China, the Hockeyroos have rebounded in style, defeating the United States 3-0 at the FIH Pro League in Bhubaneswar, India.
Scoring in each of the first three quarters through Tatum Stewart, Steph Kershaw and Grace Stewart the world No.2 team justified their ranking with a polished performance.
The first two goals were both penalty corners.
Tatum Stewart struck in the seventh minute with a drag flick, before fellow Queenslander Kershaw doubled the lead in the 23rd with some handy stickwork to notch her 17th goal for the Hockeyroos.
The third goal, after 37 minutes, came from open play with Grace Stewart lifting the ball over the keeper with a delicate deflection.
Australia held strong in the final quarter despite spending most of it reduced to nine or 10 players, through yellow cards to Kershaw and Hattie Shand, and green cards for Rosie Malone and the busy Kershaw.
“China wasn’t how we wanted to start,” said Alice Arnott, who was named player of the match for her defensive display.
“So we’re very happy to bounce back with that one.”
It was an especially memorable win for Queensland’s Dayle Dolkens, who celebrated her Hockeyroos debut just a year on from playing club hockey in Townsville.
"It's indescribable really," Dolkens said.
"It's something you always dream of, but actually getting the call-up and being here is something else entirely. It's a bit of a dream."
"I was super-nervous ... the uniform went on and three or four Snapchats and selfies later I was like, 'Wow, it's time to play hockey now'."
The tournament ramps up from here for the Hockeyroos who face hosts India in less than 24 hours, in front of what will be a raucous crowd on Wednesday (1am Thursday AEDT).
Two days late they face the Netherlands, the world's No.1 team and reigning Olympic champions.
