Her team may have stumbled at the last hurdle, losing to Wairarapa College 1-0, but few would have imagined St Hilda's would have been playing in the final of the Federation Cup when the girls premier secondary school tournament got under way in Dunedin on Monday.
''I'm pretty gutted, but at the same time I'm really proud of the girls,'' Bruce said.
''Second in New Zealand is outstanding. I couldn't ask for more, really. They gave it their all.''
The match perhaps did not rise to the height of some of the earlier fixtures.
Whether that was because of nerves or the toll the week had exacted from the players is unclear, but both teams struggled for fluency.
Play tended to break down long before the teams had got into a position to threaten the goal. The game seemed destined for a draw.
Wairarapa, though, became increasingly desperate and pushed forward during the last 10 minutes.
A couple of promising fast breaks were stymied by some scrambling defence from the home side but the momentum had shifted.
Striker Brigette Mossman nailed the winner from a penalty corner in the dying moments.
St Hilda's dropped its goalie in a effort to find a late equaliser but could not find a way past the visiting side's defensive screen.
''I feel like we played well. We just couldn't put a goal way.
''There is always going to be nerves in the final but I think the girls played outstanding. It was just a good goal from Wairarapa,'' Bruce said.
Polly Inglis was named St Hilda's most valuable player.
The midfielder made some classy touches and did a superb job in the centre of the park for her side.
Pip Dingle was electric up front. The speedy striker made a habit out of beating players.
Her ball control was admirable but it was her pace which presented defenders with the most concern.
Co-captain Annabel Girvan's defence in the midfield was tremendous.
Goalie Libby Morris made some telling saves during the tournament and defender Jessica Faulks and Brylee Buchanan formed a formidable duo.
St Hilda's was not the only Dunedin school going for glory yesterday.
Columba College beat St Andrew's College 3-2 in the final of the third-tier Audrey Tomlin Memorial tournament, staged in Timaru this week.
