Not long into the first half, the Huskies' key defender and NHL player Tory Vao seriously injured an already vulnerable knee and left the field, to cheer from crutches on the sideline.
About 15 minutes in, University strikers set up the first goal with a three on one against the City goalie and Heliena Snell snapped in an airshot.
City retaliated but University was sharp. City then ran the ball all the way up and won a penalty corner which was very well taken but the shot was just wide.
City won another penalty corner but was unsuccessful and the game proceeded with lots of turnovers. In the midfield, Alex Irwin was working hard for City but was heavily marked.
In a counterattack from yet another City penalty corner, University got the ball up into its attacking circle where the City defenders appeared to watch it and a simple pass off and push into the gap by Sarah Adam made it 2-0.
City increased its pace and intensity, with Lucy Harris working hard from the midfield, but Huskies put in such a hard ball at the other end that Irwin was forced to drop her stick. The score at halftime was 2-0.
City came out with a game plan and it was not long before it was rewarded with a pass off to Emily Perriam, to put it just one goal behind and in sight of catching up.
A quick run back down by City players and a flick up in front of the goal by Irwin hit the bar of the goal. Snell was then sent off with a green card and City began to dominate, with plenty of ball and possession, and went close.
The game seesawed, with some poor midfield passes by the Huskies, who then disputed a reversal of their free hit due to not being 5m.
City used this chance to force another penalty corner that was saved.
Tory Dougherty was on fire, weaving the ball in and out, and gave City a final chance with a free hit on the high right and a reverse shot was saved by Huskies' goalie Ginny Wilson. That ended the game, to the delight of the University players.
University co coaches Robert Patterson and Paresh Dayal said the result was testament to the players' hard work throughout the season, as was the fact that they were unbeaten until last week.
A core group had lost the last two finals, it was their final year in Dunedin and so it meant a great deal. Striker Kelly Dempster, who replaced Vao at the back, played with great skill.
By Shirley Gillett.
