Latest news with #KateSheppardCup
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Phoenix reunion for Tech trio in cup semi-final
Lara Wall of Cashmere Technical puts a tackle in during her side's 4-1 win over Coastal Spirit on Sunday. The wing-back is playing for Tech during the A-League off-season. PHOTO: CARL COZZONE/ DUST MEDIA When Lara Wall steps onto the field for Sunday's Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final, she'll be surrounded by familiar faces - both in her own Cashmere Technical team and in the opposition, the Wellington Phoenix Reserves. Wall is contracted to the Phoenix's senior side but is allowed to return to play for Tech during the A-League off-season. That means facing several former teammates, some of whom she will rejoin next month when the Phoenix's pre-season begins. 'It's going to be weird,' Wall said. 'When I'm facing them from the kick-off, looking at their colours and kit coming at me. I've tried not to think about it too much.' She won't be the only one in that position. Tech teammates Annalie Longo and Rebecca Lake also played for the Phoenix last season. 'It'll be a bit weird for all of us, but a cool opportunity too,' Wall said. This is the first time Tech have reached the Kate Sheppard Cup semi-finals, after beating Otago University 2-1 in last month's quarter-finals. If they win on Sunday, they will face either Auckland United or Eastern Suburbs in the final on the first weekend of September. 'Everyone is really excited to make history, and we all definitely know how much of a big deal it is,' Wall said. 'It'll be really cool to go out there and hopefully represent the South Island.' Wall believes Tech are well prepared, having beaten cross-town rivals Coastal Spirit 4-1 in the South Island League last Sunday. They also booked a spot in Canterbury's Reta Fitzpatrick Cup final after a 5-0 win over Selwyn United last Wednesday. 'It's good to have good competition the week before we go up and play,' she said. 'I would say we're coming into the game on form. We've had a few wins which has prepared us really well.' KATE SHEPPARD CUP SEMI-FINAL (SUNDAY, 2PM) Wellington Phoenix Reserves v Cashmere Technical, Fraser Park
Otago Daily Times
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Royals stay perfect to clinch South Island crown
The Dunedin City Royals celebrate winning the Women's South Island League in Nelson on Saturday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Dunedin City Royals have been crowned the queens of the South Island. They wrapped up the Women's South Island League title with two rounds to spare after beating Nelson Suburbs 3-1 in wet conditions on Saturday. Youngster Hannah Scott — the 15-year-old getting her first start — scored the opener two minutes in before Nelson equalised through Samantha Crawford. Defender Hannah Mackay-Wright scored a brilliant penalty in the 68th minute and Amy Hislop sealed it for the Royals with a screamer in the 82nd minute. It was good reward for a team who were up at 4.30am to catch a flight to Nelson and had a "sluggish" warm-up. Head coach Kris Ridley could not be prouder of his players, who knuckled down over the past few weeks to win the title. "It's what we set out for at the start," Ridley said. "We wanted to win the Kate Sheppard Cup and the league. "Cup, we were a bit short, but the league, we've done everything right so far. Three points every week and that's sort of what we aim for. "Just really proud of the group. "It's been a massive effort, especially probably the last three or four games." There was further reason to celebrate with stalwart Kelsey Kennard bringing up her 250th game. "We wanted to make it as special as we could," Ridley said. "The girls were probably doing whatever they could to win for Kelsey as well as winning the league, so it was a good double." Roslyn-Wakari drew 1-1 with NW United. Amelie East-Giles opening the scoring in the 13th minute but Roslyn conceded the equaliser in the first half stoppage time. Otago University beat Universities of Canterbury 2-0 in Christchurch yesterday. — There is still all to play for ODT Women's Southern Premiership with only one point separating Green Island, University and the Royals. Green Island beat Queens Park 3-0 with Hannah Post scoring a brace, University beat Roslyn-Wakari 3-1, and the Royals, who had beaten Northern 7-0 in a midweek catch-up game, were held to a 0-0 draw by Northern. The Royals have a game in hand.
Otago Daily Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Dazzling individual winner sinks University
All dreams must come to an end. Otago University put up a valiant fightback in their first Kate Sheppard Cup quarterfinal, but eventually succumbed 2-1 to Cashmere Technical at English Park in Christchurch yesterday. After University equalised in the 60th minute, Cashmere replacement Petra Buyck pulled off a dazzling individual effort to seal the win. University, whose resources were already stretched thinly thanks to student holidays, showed a lot of heart. Cashmere created opportunities to score inside the opening quarter. Former Southern United player Jemma Wilson applied the gas bringing the ball down the right flank. She fired her cross square on the goal line for Katie Harris to bury home in the 15th minute. Harris nearly had a second in the 35th minute, but Hayley Julian made a clutch save to the long attempt. Former Dunedin player Lara Wall was dangerous and had Cashmere's best chance before the break. Wall — who was a standout in her debut season for the Wellington Phoenix this season — fired in a long shot that narrowly missed and clipped the back of the net. University defended well. They stunted Cashmere's attack flow through the middle and made a great save from a late corner. Still, Cashmere held a 1-0 lead at halftime. University pressed high and attacked Cashmere's backline early in the second half. Cashmere made a mistake trying to exit and Caitlin Toohey slid it through for Nixon. Nixon pounced, taking it into the box and sliding it through at the near post to score in the 60th minute. University defended four quick corners — but then the home side won a penalty in the box. Julian was up to the task with a big save on Buyck's shot and was bombarded with applause from her team. But when Buyck had the chance again, she made no mistake. She took the ball across the top of the box and put it on the left boot to bring it home. Phoenix Reserves booked their spot in the semifinals with a 4-1 win over Waterside Karori. Auckland United beat West Coast Rangers 2-1, and Eastern Suburbs thumped Franklin United 8-0. Kate Sheppard Cup The scores Cashmere Technical 2 Katie Harris 15', Petra Buyck 80' Otago University 1 Georgia Nixon 60' Halftime: Cashmere 1-0.
Otago Daily Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Free kick bent in to end Royals' charge
THEY dared to dream — and dream they did. University proved what can happen when you have a little bit of belief in yourself after making the quarterfinals of the Kate Sheppard Cup for the first...
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
One dream attained by University, another beckons
THEY dared to dream — and dream they did. University proved what can happen when you have a little bit of belief in yourself after making the quarterfinals of the Kate Sheppard Cup for the first time. After a memorable 1-0 victory over the Dunedin City Royals last month, University make the trip to Christchurch to meet Cashmere Technical at English Park on Sunday afternoon. "It's an absolute dream, to be honest," coach Hamish Philip said about making the quarterfinals. "All the hard work that we've been putting in this season and all the foundation work we put in prior coming to fruition, it's immense." Philip was proud to see the way his side had come together. "For us, it's actually the belief in what we're trying to do. "I know that's such a cheesy thing to say, but it's that trust the system of what each player brings ... it's shown on the field, to be honest." Cashmere Technical, who won the South Island league last season, are always tough — but University beat them 2-1 in the league in March. "We've beaten them earlier in the season so I said to them, 'why not again?'." Making the playoffs has not come without its challenges. Only half of the team remained in Dunedin earlier this week due to students heading home for the university break and several American players returning home after the semester. The club had been running a Givealittle page to raise funds to help them get to Christchurch. Some players will be getting some "big opportunities" this weekend, but Philip said they would never back down from the challenge. "We're thankful some of our players are from Christchurch, so we've got those. "Some players are actually flying back for the game because they understand the importance of it, so they've made themselves available and that's thanks to the community helping out. "As a core group, I believe the team is still there. "I will make zero excuses. We are prepared for it. We are a university club and it's a matter of how we deal with it." In the other quarterfinals, Waterside Karori play Phoenix Reserves, Auckland United face West Coast Rangers and Franklin United are home to Eastern Suburbs. In round four of the Chatham Cup tomorrow, Wanaka are home to Christchurch United, and the Royals host Nelson Suburbs.
