Hunt eager to take on her old team
SOUTHERN United has the chance to make history tomorrow but for Mikaela Hunt, there is even more at stake.
The 19yearold defender is heading home to face her old team in the national women’s league at Memorial Park in Petone.
One of several key players to have helped the team to secure its first ever playoff spot, she is hoping to clinch a home final with a win over Capital.
‘‘It’ll definitely be interesting going home,’’ Hunt said.
‘‘It’s crazy because you have such split loyalties. I’ve played for Capital for the last four or so years. Obviously I can’t wait to go back there and play them and I think it’ll be really interesting to see everyone and there’s so many people in the football community that I haven’t seen in a while.
‘‘So it’ll be good, but we’re going there to win; it’s not about friendships and stuff at the end of the day, we’ve got to go to win.
‘‘But I am really looking forward to it and I think it’ll be a really tough game.’’
Originally from Upper Hutt, Hunt moved south this year to study physiotherapy at the University of Otago.
Having tossed up between Otago and Auckland, she was lured to Dunedin after receiving a highperformance scholarship from Football South.
That had also helped secure Emily Morison, who has been cleared to play after missing the past two games with a head knock.
Both had played several seasons with Capital throughout school and the move to
Southern had been one into the unknown.
‘‘In all honesty, I didn’t really expect too much. I didn’t know what to expect coming into it,’’ Memorial Park, Petone Tomorrow, 1pm
Hunt said. ‘‘You hear different things from different people and coaches.
‘‘But I think new coaching staff this year, a new set of players, it’s far exceeded my expectations.’’
She felt early in the preseason the team was capable of performing well and said the belief grew when the team stepped on to the pitch.
That became evident as it won its first game in four years, against Auckland at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Hunt played a key role in the win and delivered a long ball from a free kick to set up Ellie Isaac to score the team’s second goal.
‘‘I don’t know what was happening in that game; the ball was flying really nicely. I don’t know if it was the stadium.
‘‘I don’t really know what I was trying to do. It just came off; it was just an unreal feeling when it went in.
Southern will be without key midfielder Elise MamanuGray tomorrow, who is away with the Football Ferns.
Despite that, Hunt called MamanuGray’s selection a highlight and said it was important to show you could make the Ferns out of Dunedin.
Southern will have some support on the road this weekend as well, with Hunt’s family shifting their allegiance to her new team.
If it finishes top of the table, it advances directly to the final on Sunday, December 10.
If not, it will play off in the 2v3 semifinal next Sunday. The winner will meet the topplaced team in the final.