World No 2 side Argentina eventually took the match in Sydney 3-1, but not before 22-year-old forward Herbert had made her mark by opening the scoring with a goal from a deflection in the sixth minute.
Argentina responded in the 18th minute before going ahead at the half-hour mark and scoring their third in the 52nd minute.
England had a total of five unconverted penalty corners against Argentina, who fielded five-times WorldHockey player of the year, Luciana Aymar.
Former Jersey College for Girls student Herbert now has four international goals to her name and is the fifth most capped player in the 18-strong England squad at the championships.
