The top four sides have all won their final games in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League.
Northern Rovers, Western Springs, Eastern Suburbs and Auckland United — the sides that will go on to play in this year’s Women’s National League — all ended their WPL seasons on a winning note.
As well as finalising league placings, the games also resolved the winner and placings of the WPL Golden Boot, and a goalkeeper got her name on her team’s scoresheet.
Main photo: West Coast Rangers goalkeeper Emily Couchman … on the scoresheet in the season’s final game.
Here’s our round-up:
Springs repel Ellerslie fightback for 3-2 win
Western Springs beat Ellerslie 3-2 at Seddon Fields but had to withstand a second-half fightback.
Springs went to a 3-0 lead by half-time, thanks to a double from Sofia Garcia, and a goal from Jess Innes.
Garcia opened the scoring in the 13th minute and Innes made it 2-0 two minutes later.
When Garica added her second just before half-time, it looked as though the home side were cruising.
But Britney Cunningham-Lee pulled back a goal four minutes into the second spell to give the visitors hope.
In the 73rd minute, Ellerslie were awarded a penalty by referee Bridget Baker.
Captain Cat Pretty scored from the spot, and it was 3-2.
However, Springs were able to hold on to their lead and the win made sure of their runners-up spot in the WPL.
Junior Fern scores double in United’s win
Two early goals from Junior Fern Milly Clegg fired Auckland United to a 4-1 win against West Coast Rangers at Keith Hay Park.
Clegg struck in the 7th and 14th minutes to get United rolling in their final outing before they play Northern Rovers in the Kate Sheppard Cup final.
Captain Jess Philpot added United’s third on the half-hour.
Rangers goalkeeper Emily Couchman got on the scoresheet just before half-time when she scored from the penalty spot, sending the teams into the interval at 3-1.
In the second half, United coach Mauro Donoso rested Junior Ferns Clegg and Ruby Nathan, subbing them off after 65 minutes.
Within a minute, Bree Johnson added United’s fourth goal, making it 4-1, and she then also took a rest.
By the final whistle, both coaches had introduced five outfield players off the bench.
Golden Boot table is finalised as Suburbs beat Wanderers 5-1
A first-half hat-trick from Juliette Lucas set up a 5-1 win for Eastern Suburbs against Hamilton Wanderers at Porritt Stadium.
The goals gave Lucas 16 for the season, earning her the WPL’s Golden Boot.
She found the net in the 1st, 14th and 23rd minutes to set up a 3-0 half-time lead for the Lilywhites.
In the second half, Jade Parris made it 4-0 within two minutes of the restart. Her goal gave her 13 for the season, and second place on the Golden Boot table.
Tayla O’Brien added Suburbs’ fifth in the 63rd minute.
With five minutes left, former Football Fern Helen Arjomandi scored a consolation goal for Wanderers.
O’Brien and Arjomandi both finish the season with 12 goals, equal third on the Golden Boot table with Suburbs’ Deven Jackson and Northern Rovers’ Michaela Foster.
Results
Game played on Saturday September 3, 2022
Click here for match report >>>>
Tauranga City 0
Northern Rovers 3 (Kate McConnell 33′, Chelsea Elliott 36′, Michaela Foster 38′)
Games played Sunday September 4, 2022
Western Springs 3 (Sofia Garcia 13′, 40′, Jess Innes 15′)
Ellerslie 2 (Britney Cunningham-Lee 49′, Cat Pretty 73′)
Hamilton Wanderers 1 (Helen Arjomandi 85′)
Eastern Suburbs 5 (Juliette Lucas 1′, 14′, 23′, Jade Parris 47′, Tayla O’Brien 63′)
Auckland United 4 (Milly Clegg 7′, 14′, Jess Philpot 32′, Bree Johnson 66′)
West Coast Rangers 1 (Emily Couchman 44′)
Final standings
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