Two goals by Leah Dunn saw Northland come from behind to beat Auckland 2-1 and win the national under-15 hockey title in Nelson on Saturday.
Both Northland goals came from penalty corners in a tense and exciting match leaving co-coach Joanne McQueen to praise her side's patience and mental toughness as
the difference in the match.
"Auckland probably started a little better than we did and really put us under pressure with that early goal and the girls were a bit shell shocked but they came back well in a very even match that really could have gone either way," McQueen said.
McQueen, who coached the side with Meredith McInness, said the team had improved all season since an early pre-season loss to Auckland and they had been confident going into the competition.
"These girls all play against women in club competition every week and a lot of the girls in the bigger centres play lower grade hockey and we always thought that our girls would come out on top because they play women every week and that has made them tough."
She said the team's forwards had been outstanding all tournament. Katie Rood and Jade McLeod had been excellent, with Melissa Simpson having an exceptional final.
Goalie Sheridan Webb had kept them in the game with some great saves, while fullback Nicola Bilton was another standout as the Northlanders won the trophy.
McQueen said the team's final pool match, where two goals by Rood had been enough for Northland to overcome North Harbour 2-1, had been a huge boost to the morale in the squad.
The win meant they were unbeaten in pool play. They then progressed to the quarterfinals where they were too strong for Bay of Plenty with a 3-1 win, before out-playing Wellington 2-0 in the semifinal.
The under-15 boys didn't enjoy such a great week at their national tournament in Napier, finishing 18th out of 20 teams.
