Paterson MVP as Southern Utd finish top regional, SI team

Southern United wrapped up their season in fifth place in the National League. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIEN

Southern United’s season has come to a close. Kayla Hodge looks back at the National League campaign.

THE OIL

Four for, four against — and one in the middle.

Southern United wrapped up their National League season at the weekend in fifth spot with a record of four wins, one draw and four losses.

They finished as the top regional team and the top South Island side, thanks to their 4-0 drilling of Canterbury United Pride at home.

Southern also recorded a big 7-0 victory over Central and notched comprehensive 4-1 victories over Phoenix Reserves and Petone.

They fought hard for their 1-1 draw against Wellington United — who finished third and are the only team to beat defending champions Auckland United in the National League since 2023 — and goalkeeper Lauren Paterson was outstanding as she swatted away Wellington’s attack.

Southern had a tough run home playing Auckland powerhouses Eastern Suburbs, Auckland United and Western Springs in the final four weeks, losing to all three.

They also had a frustrating 1-0 loss to West Coast Rangers in horrific conditions in Dunedin early in the season.

Georgia Nixon, returning to football after nearly eight years away, was always busy, and Nieve Collin came into her own, finishing as Southern’s top scorer with four goals.

Captain Rose Morton rarely plays a bad game, banding her troops together, and defender Hannah Mackay-Wright is the backbone of the backline.

Mackay-Wright stepped up to sink Southern’s opening goal of the season — a penalty against Phoenix Reserves — and added another before the end of 90 minutes.

BEST PERFORMANCE

They dominated a young Central side 7-0, but Southern strung together a dominant 4-0 win over South Island rivals Canterbury.

Collin had a brace to help Southern to their biggest winning margin over Canterbury.

WORST PERFORMANCE

The 7-0 loss to Western Springs in the final round was a tough day out. Southern were without some senior personnel and spent much of the game defending.

MVP

Morton and Mackay-Wright are contenders every season. But Paterson was something special in goal for Southern. She saved countless goals throughout the season and kept her side in the fight.