McLean, competing in the Speight's Invitation singles for the first time, had won six of his seven section games to qualify for the quarterfinals.
He looked out of his depth as he conceded two fours and a three to trail 22-9 after 18 ends, with Goodwin needing just three more points to win.
But McLean was not ready to concede and extended the game by another nine ends before Goodwin won 25-18.
"I wasn't missing by much," McLean said. "I was going round and about the head. I felt I was still in the game.
"I was stoked to qualify and knew I just had to keep prodding away and hold on to a few shots."
It was a gutsy fightback by the left-handed McLean against Goodwin, who played five years of semi-professional bowls in Australia and represented New Zealand at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.
Goodwin is an experienced singles player and won the New Zealand title in 1999. He added the fours title two years ago.
McLean kept Goodwin scoreless for the next six ends as he added nine shots to trail by just four points, 22-18.
But he was not able to sustain the effort and Goodwin scored a two and single on the nexttwo ends, to win 25-18.
Goodwin is one of three Aucklanders in the final four, and he will play Dan Delany in this morning's semifinals at the North East Valley green.
Delany (32) is playing in the tournament for only the second time. He was beaten in the quarterfinals by Dunedin's Nigel Wright last year.
He has just returned from the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and has adjusted quickly to the faster Dunedin greens.
It was a nip and tuck game against Dunedin's former international Ken Walker before Delany won 25-23.
Delany looked safe when he led 19-14 after 23 ends but the irrepressible Walker kept fighting back and the game was wide open when he gained four shots on the 26th end to close the gap to one shot at 21-20.
The game was still in the balance four ends later when Walker drove out Delany's shot bowl for two shots and the score was 23-23.
Delany drew the bonus shot on the 31st end to advance to the semifinal and end the marathon game.
The other Aucklander in the semifinal is Jamie Hill, who had a comfortable 25-15 win against Lance Pascoe (West Coast) to set up a semifinal meeting with Richard Girvan.
Australia-based New Zealand representative Girvan eased to a 25-15 win against Peter Wilson (Dunedin).
The semifinals start at 9.30am today. The final is expected to start at 1pm.
