Midcourt Kate Heffernan poised for milestone in 'must-win' game against Mystics

RNZ News

a day ago

Kate Heffernan will join Wendy Frew and Shannon Saunders as Steel centurions.
Photo:
Michael Bradley Photography
Silver Ferns midcourter Kate Heffernan will become just third player to bring up a century of games for Southern Steel, when she takes the court against ANZ Premiership leaders Northern Mystics in Auckland on Sunday.
Heffernan joins fellow midcourters Wendy Frew and Shannon Saunders in bringing up the milestone.
"To be on the list with them is really cool," she said. "Both are players I have looked up to from when I first started until now, so that is really special.
"It means a lot doing it just for the Steel and home. One-hundred games anywhere is amazing, but being able to do it for just one franchise means so much to me is pretty cool."
Heffernan, 25, made her debut for the Steel as an 18 year old.
"I look back at the first couple of team posters and I'm just a baby."
However, she won't let the milestone match divert her attention from the side's bid to make the top-three playoffs.
The Steel are currently fourth on the competition ladder, equal with the third-placed Central Pulse on competition points and separated only by goal difference.
The Steel went down to the Mystics by just one goal in their last encounter.
"It's a must-win scenario for us, so I need to focus on getting that win against the team that's sitting top of the table," Heffernan said.
"We're coming off a bit of momentum the last few rounds and I feel like we're in a good place. We're growing in confidence each week in our attacking game and honestly feeling really good about it.
"We've had to win our last few games to be in contention for the top three. We need to approach this the same way, but continue to lift like we've been doing."
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