The Southern Storm was beaten by North Harbour 3-0 in the finals of the national league in Wellington yesterday.
Fresh from its win against Capital on Sunday, the Storm was unable to record back-to-back wins against a superior Harbour side.
The day did not start well for the Storm when captain Michelle Borren was injured during the warm-up, after taking a ball to the face, and could not take part in the match.
Storm manager Roni Dungey said Borren might be looking a "bit worse for wear", but she expected her to be right for tomorrow's match against Auckland.
North Harbour started the match strongly, going into the halftime break leading 2-0, and although the Storm defended better in the second half, it could not stop North Harbour from adding to the score.
Dungey said her players were a bit fatigued after Sunday's win and struggled to get into yesterday's game.
"We were carrying a few injuries and the massive game against Capital seemed to have taken a lot out of us."
She said today's rest day had come at the right time and the Storm players would come back with "fire in their bellies" when its meets Auckland.
Sunday's win was the first time since 2007 the Storm had won a game in the national league.
A determined effort from the Southern Men could not prevent them being beaten 1-0 by the top-of-the-table Capital. Despite Capital taking an early lead in the 15th minute, the Southern side tried gallantly all game.
Southern manager Ronald Hutton said while it was disappointing to lose, "I could not fault my team's commitment. Their work-rate was excellent".
Hutton said even though the team was beaten, it was best game his side had played all tournament.
He said the Southern side had plenty of shots on goal but just could not get one across the line.
He had particular praise for his team's defensive effort.
Hutton was confident after today's rest day his side will be able to put in a top effort against Midlands tomorrow, and North Harbour later in the week.
