Steel's miracle win over Pulse a season-defining game: coach
Steel goal shoot Aliyah Dunn (left) and Pulse goal keep Kelly Jackson compete for the ball during the ANZ Premiership match in Wellington on Monday night. PHOTO: HAGEN HOPKINS/MICHAEL BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
There are no genuine miracles in sport but the Southern Steel delivered the closest thing to one on Monday night.
They roared back from a nine-goal deficit heading into the final quarter to stun the Central Pulse 58-57 in a wild finish to the ANZ Premiership game in Wellington.
Steel goal attack Georgia Heffernan, in perhaps the defining performance of her career, landed a late two-point shot, and after the Pulse missed an attempt, it was 57-57 with 37 seconds to play.
The Steel stayed patient, worked the opportunity and celebrated wildly when Aliyah Dunn converted the winning goal right on the buzzer.
Steel coach Wendy Frew described this as a season-defining game, and it may prove to be just that.
The Steel remain in the hunt for a playoff place. Perhaps just as importantly, they have proved they have reservoirs of courage and heart, especially considering they were pumped 70-45 the last time they played the Pulse.
"We never lost belief," Heffernan told Sky Sport after the game.
"We really thought we could win this game, and we came together as a team, so we're stoked."
The Steel have two more home games, against the Magic and Stars, either side of a tricky away game against the Mystics.
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