A year ago the Dunedin Technical women made history — tomorrow they are looking to repeat it.
The side travels to Christchurch to play Coastal Spirit in its Kate Sheppard Cup quarterfinal.
It beat Spirit 3-2 last year, giving it confidence it can get the job done.
That is a slightly different mindset to last year. It had entered the game knowing no Dunedin women’s side had been beyond that stage of the national women’s knockout competition.
That nothing-to-lose approach has given way to a belief this team is the real deal.
"The expectations from the football community will be higher this year because of that win last year," coach Graeme Smaill said.
"Our expectations are higher, as well. It was a hurdle we hadn’t got over before and no Dunedin women’s side had got over before.
"When you do achieve it, your expectations do get higher.
"We’re tracking pretty well, we’re playing some good football and in these games there’s a really fine line between winning and losing.
"It’s taking your chances and maybe that’s what it will come down to on Sunday — who’s going to be more clinical in front of goal."
Tracking well would be an understatement.
The side remains undefeated this year, a 2-2 draw against Roslyn Wakari the only points it has dropped.
In the southern women’s premier league, it has scored 72 goals in 11 games, having conceded only six.
In its most recent Kate Sheppard Cup game it beat Christchurch’s Universities club 7-1.
The team is without Holly Smaill and Zoe Thomas tomorrow, but is still littered with quality players.
Among those in form are youngster Lara Wall, who has continued to get better and better after a strong campaign with Southern United last summer.
Shontelle Smith has also been outstanding and brings more than 100 games of experience with her.
Despite that, there is plenty of talent in the Coastal Spirit side, which is also yet to lose this year.
That makes the match a step up from what Technical has played locally, but it has been preparing for that.It has been playing regularly against the Tech youth boys side to get experience playing at a faster pace.
The travel factor will also come into play, the side having won last year’s match at the Caledonian Ground.
However, Smaill is hopeful the team can overcome that and he said there was a positive mindset among the players.
"I think the feeling within the group is we can get it done, we can win it.
"But all the players know everyone has to do their job individually and then collectively they have to play as a team.
"So the confidence is there we can win it, but we know how tough it’s going to be."
National Knockout Cups
Kate Sheppard Cup
Dunedin Technical v Coastal Spirit
Christchurch, tomorrow, 12.30pm
Chatham Cup
Green Island v Nelson Suburbs
Nelson, today, 2pm
Roslyn Wakari v Cashmere Technical
Christchurch, tomorrow, 2pm