
Free kick bent in to end Royals' charge

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Otago Daily Times
06-07-2025
- 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
- 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
- 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.