Plucked from last year's third-grade side, striker Anthony Tarrant made a big impression by scoring twice in University's 4-0 win over Mosgiel in the Chatham Cup tie at the Caledonian Ground.
Team manager Luke Macris said Tarrant scored more than 40 goals in the third grade last year, and was persuaded to try out for the first team.
University coach Luiz Uehara also started a 15-year-old midfielder, Rahan Ali, and the youngster did well before being substituted later in the game.
"We are always willing to try out new players and formations," Uehara said.
"In central defence, Peter Overmire, who is only 18, was very impressive, and earned our man-of-the-match award."
In contrast to the queue of available students, Mosgiel was hit with injuries. Neither Regan Coldicott nor Mike Abbott played, defender Tom Bekker was on the bench, and coach Mike McGarry had to turn out, as did fellow veteran Phil Kelly.
Both teams worked hard to gain ball possession, but Varsity used the ball better, with Guilherme Melo showing his full bag of tricks as he sprayed passes around.
It took only 9min for Peter Rae to open the scoring when Mosgiel struggled to clear a right-wing corner, and the Varsity striker powerfully volleyed in from close range.
Mosgiel had flashes of attack from Kelly and Tim Dunn, with Luke Burgess working hard to play passes forward.
But Varsity keeper Danniel Becheri was rarely threatened.
Tarrant made it 2-0 before halftime, and assorted Mosgiel substitutions could not stop University stretching its lead to 4-0 in the second half.
Both second-half goals were astute pieces of excellent technique as first Rae spotted Ozwaldo Rodriguez off his line and floated a fine goal over the keeper, then Tarrant broke clear at pace and hit the net with a front-foot chip over the stranded keeper, which drew hearty applause from the student support.
In Queenstown, Roslyn-Wakari was held after normal time by the local side, which tends to be much stronger at home than away.
A spectacular match by keeper Steve Henderson defied Roslyn, and after 90min without score, a further 30min tested both sides' fitness.
James Govan was Roslyn's saviour with a strong header in extra time for a 1-0 win.
Coach Colin Thom praised his side's performance against a difficult opponent.
At the Gardens, Northern was too strong for namesake Northern Hearts of Timaru, and the 4-1 win came from goals by James O'Callaghan, Tom McLean, Cam McPhail and an own goal.
Grants Braes earned a battling 2-1 win over Waihopai, after the Invercargill side had gone ahead from a penalty, but goals by Blake List and Sam Martin earned a worthy win for coach Alan Laidler's side.
Not so lucky was Green Island, which played top Invercargill side Old Boys.
It went to a 2-0 lead through Cody Robinson and Jack Kirkwood, before Barra Toubet hit back for the home side with two goals, including the winner late in the game, for a 3-2 finish.
The next round will be played on June 4.
