Latest news with #ZoeBenson
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women's Champions League In Tahiti
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Defending champions Auckland United FC have blitzed Henderson Eels FC 6-1 at Stade Pater in Papeete to reach the final of the OFC Womens Champions League 2025 for the second straight year. The New Zealand champions face a rematch against Hekari Women's FC in Saturday's (Tahiti time) decider. Ben Bate's side won the final 1-0 in the Solomon Islands last year and also defeated Hekari 2-1 in Group play last week. They made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final. Zoe Benson scored a hat-trick inside 28 minutes to overtake Hekari United's Marie Kaipu in the race for the Golden Boot. She now has eight for the tournament, one clear of the Papua New Guinea side's captain and star striker. Henderson Eels playmaker Ileen Pegi showed her class in a brief moment of respite for the Eels with a strong run down the flank, before cutting back inside of Saskia Vosper and unleashing a stunning right footed strike to beat a despairing Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United FC goal. That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack. They did manage a freekick against the crossbar late in the second half. At the other end while Betty Sade had a tough time in the Henderson Eels goal, she produced a moment of magic to deny Ava Pritchard from the penalty spot in the 36th minute. Leading by 5-1 at the break, Auckland United FC ensured there would be no dramatic comeback from their opponents two minutes after the restart when substitute Danielle Canham scored Auckland's sixth goal of the game. From there Ben Bate's side controlled the tempo but were unable to find the back of the net again as Henderson Eels produced a resolute defensive display that was missing in the opening 30 minutes of the match. Auckland United FC 6 (Tupelo DUGAN 4', Zoe BENSON 5' 18' 28', Ava PRITCHARD 7', Danielle CANHAM 47'
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women's Champions League In Tahiti
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation The New Zealand champions face a rematch against Hekari Women's FC in Saturday's (Tahiti time) decider. Ben Bate's side won the final 1-0 in the Solomon Islands last year and also defeated Hekari 2-1 in Group play last week. They made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final. Zoe Benson scored a hat-trick inside 28 minutes to overtake Hekari United's Marie Kaipu in the race for the Golden Boot. She now has eight for the tournament, one clear of the Papua New Guinea side's captain and star striker. Henderson Eels playmaker Ileen Pegi showed her class in a brief moment of respite for the Eels with a strong run down the flank, before cutting back inside of Saskia Vosper and unleashing a stunning right footed strike to beat a despairing Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United FC goal. That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack. They did manage a freekick against the crossbar late in the second half. At the other end while Betty Sade had a tough time in the Henderson Eels goal, she produced a moment of magic to deny Ava Pritchard from the penalty spot in the 36th minute. Leading by 5-1 at the break, Auckland United FC ensured there would be no dramatic comeback from their opponents two minutes after the restart when substitute Danielle Canham scored Auckland's sixth goal of the game. From there Ben Bate's side controlled the tempo but were unable to find the back of the net again as Henderson Eels produced a resolute defensive display that was missing in the opening 30 minutes of the match. Auckland United FC 6 (Tupelo DUGAN 4', Zoe BENSON 5' 18' 28', Ava PRITCHARD 7', Danielle CANHAM 47'
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women's Champions League In Tahiti
The New Zealand champions face a rematch against Hekari Women's FC in Saturday's (Tahiti time) decider. Ben Bate's side won the final 1-0 in the Solomon Islands last year and also defeated Hekari 2-1 in Group play last week. They made a statement against Henderson Eels, scoring three times in the first seven minutes to effectively seal progression to the final. Zoe Benson scored a hat-trick inside 28 minutes to overtake Hekari United's Marie Kaipu in the race for the Golden Boot. She now has eight for the tournament, one clear of the Papua New Guinea side's captain and star striker. Henderson Eels playmaker Ileen Pegi showed her class in a brief moment of respite for the Eels with a strong run down the flank, before cutting back inside of Saskia Vosper and unleashing a stunning right footed strike to beat a despairing Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United FC goal. That goal in the 26th minute was as good as it got for the Solomon Islanders on attack. They did manage a freekick against the crossbar late in the second half. At the other end while Betty Sade had a tough time in the Henderson Eels goal, she produced a moment of magic to deny Ava Pritchard from the penalty spot in the 36th minute. Leading by 5-1 at the break, Auckland United FC ensured there would be no dramatic comeback from their opponents two minutes after the restart when substitute Danielle Canham scored Auckland's sixth goal of the game. From there Ben Bate's side controlled the tempo but were unable to find the back of the net again as Henderson Eels produced a resolute defensive display that was missing in the opening 30 minutes of the match.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United Kick Off Title Defence With Big Win
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation A five-goal frenzy from winger Zoe Benson set the tone for what became a tough day on the pitch for the Tahitian side. The defending champions looked comfortable with their high attacking pressure, and despite playing into the sun in the first half, Auckland United were not giving their opponents a break on defence. Yume Harashima and Danielle Canham were key orchestrators in the midfield for United – creating opportunities for Benson's five goal dominance, which included a brilliant strike from outside the box late in the first half. Despite a few spirited plays from the home side, led by Omega Chalons and Kohai Mai, AS Pirae weren't able to carve out much in the way of clear cut chances. In the second half, the home side showed some fight on defence, holding United out for most of the period, but couldn't stop Tupelo Dugan from adding a ninth to seal the deal for the New Zealanders. AS Pirae enjoyed extended periods of possession as the match wore on but never truly troubled United, who outlined their credentials as tournament favourites. There remained just enough time for Auckland United to add two more. Substitute Charlotte Roche closing down goalkeeper Delphine Soret and deflecting the ball home, before Dugan confirmed her brace with seconds remaining on the clock. An exciting rematch awaits this Thursday (Tahiti time) between last years' finalists as United go head-to-head with Hekari Womens FC, themselves fresh from a comfortable opening match victory earlier today. Meanwhile, hosts AS Pirae will look to regroup before facing PanSa later on the same match day.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland United Kick Off Title Defence With Big Win
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Reigning OFC Womens Champions League title-holders Auckland United sent a strong message with a dominant 9-0 win over host nations AS Pirae. A five-goal frenzy from winger Zoe Benson set the tone for what became a tough day on the pitch for the Tahitian side. The defending champions looked comfortable with their high attacking pressure, and despite playing into the sun in the first half, Auckland United were not giving their opponents a break on defence. Yume Harashima and Danielle Canham were key orchestrators in the midfield for United – creating opportunities for Benson's five goal dominance, which included a brilliant strike from outside the box late in the first half. Despite a few spirited plays from the home side, led by Omega Chalons and Kohai Mai, AS Pirae weren't able to carve out much in the way of clear cut chances. In the second half, the home side showed some fight on defence, holding United out for most of the period, but couldn't stop Tupelo Dugan from adding a ninth to seal the deal for the New Zealanders. AS Pirae enjoyed extended periods of possession as the match wore on but never truly troubled United, who outlined their credentials as tournament favourites. There remained just enough time for Auckland United to add two more. Substitute Charlotte Roche closing down goalkeeper Delphine Soret and deflecting the ball home, before Dugan confirmed her brace with seconds remaining on the clock. An exciting rematch awaits this Thursday (Tahiti time) between last years' finalists as United go head-to-head with Hekari Womens FC, themselves fresh from a comfortable opening match victory earlier today. Meanwhile, hosts AS Pirae will look to regroup before facing PanSa later on the same match day.
