Auckland club Three Kings United won the Knockout Cup women's domestic soccer final for the fourth time with a hard fought 2-0 defeat of Massey University in Wellington on Sunday.
Massey pushed the favourites hard at a windswept Newtown Park but it was the Aucklanders who provided the better finishing.
Both goals were scored by 15-year-old Martine Puketapu, in the 12th and 90th minutes.
After experiencing a gut-wrenching 5-4 extra time loss in the final two years ago, Three Kings United coach Andy Clay was impressed by the way a young side missing a few regulars stepped up.
"We've come close and we had that heart-breaking loss in the final two years ago and amazingly we only have two players today left from that line up," Clay said.
"We've got five players at the U-20 women's World Cup and senior players have moved on so while that advancement is a measure of success for the club but it's also great to win trophies."
Clay said the team showed remarkable composure on the big stage considering the players' average age was 17.
NZN
