The New Zealand Secondary Schools U-18 girls’ team will head home after competing at the Dallas Cup in Texas, having reached the last four in their age group.
The team topped their group, undefeated and without conceding a goal, and became the first U-18 girls’ team from New Zealand to qualify for the semi-finals at the international tournament.
New Zealand lost the semi-final 2-1 to Dallas Texans, past winners of the cup.
“Being the first NZSS girls’ team to make it to the semi-finals is a great achievement and one the team is extremely proud of,” head coach Ryan Shiffman said.
Main photo: The New Zealand squad take a break at the tournament. Photo credit: NZSS Facebook page.
The team, consisting of a range of players from all over New Zealand, met in person for the first time only the night before they flew out of Auckland.
A quick training session and a team dinner was followed by 18 hours of flying, before another training session the day they landed.
The only other preparation for the tournament was a friendly match against local side FC Dallas the day after they landed.
Coach Ryan Shiffman … ‘really proud.’
In a finding-their-feet type of game, New Zealand went down 1-0 to the hosts.
“I’m really proud of how quickly these players have come together as a team in less than a week’s time of meeting each other in person for the first time,” said Shiffman.
“Their ability to learn an entirely new system in that span of time has been incredible. These players are all extremely dedicated to learning and improving each day we’ve been here, and it is no wonder they are some of the standout players of their region.”
With such a short preparation time, the team punched above their weight through the group stages of the tournament.
Game one saw the team travel to Richland Park to play FC Drifters where they came away with a 5-0 win in windy conditions.
Notable goals were scored by Gemma Hewlett, always dangerous in the air, as well as an impressive Olympico goal to Charlotte O’Neill. Tidy finishes from Trelise McEwan, Zoe Brazier and Charlotte O’Neill again rounded out a successful start to the campaign.
Next came a tightly contested second match against DKSC at MoneyGram Soccer Park.
Playing in 30+ degree conditions, the team ground out a 0-0 draw. After a shaky start to the game, the team were able to swing momentum in their favour. Several close chances in the second half saw the girls disappointed to not come away with all three points for their efforts.
The squad was treated to a rest day, spent at ChiroConcepts (McKinney, Texas) courtesy of some quick connections through FC Dallas. The players were able to utilise a range of recovery techniques, including cryotherapy and compression therapy.
The day off helped them prepare for a must-win game against Cosmos FC on the fourth day at Toyota Soccer Centre.
It was set up to be a nail-biter, with both teams needing maximum points to ensure their progression to the next stage.
The team was up for the task and came away with a 2-0 win, both goals coming late in the piece to Jessica Owens and Zoe Brazier, guaranteeing play-off football.
The tournament’s opening ceremony was held at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Photo credit: Dallas Cup Facebook page.
New Zealand Secondary Schools U-18 girls
Sophia Body (Columba College, Roslyn Wakari)
Zoe Brazier (Macleans College, Eastern Suburbs)
Isabelle Dunning (Napier Girls High School, Taradale)
Gigi Freeman (Wellington Girls College, Wellington Phoenix)
Gemma Hewlett (Botany Downs Secondary College, Fencibles United)
Molly Judd (Wellington East Girls College, Miramar Rangers)
Charlize Kerr (Saint Kentigern College, Fencibles United)
Holly Lyon (Rangiora High School, Coastal Spirit)
Alessia Martin (Westlake Girls, Hibiscus Coast)
Amelie McClintock (Samuel Marsden Collegiate, Wellington Phoenix)
Trelise McEwan (St Margaret’s College, Coastal Spirit)
Harriet Muller (New Plymouth Girls High School, Wellington Phoenix)
Charlotte O’Neill (Baradene College)
Jessica Owens (Hutt Valley High School, Petone)
Lane Ririnui (Mount Maunganui College, Tauranga Moana)
Tessa Sims (Baradene College, Fencibles United)
Miya Stott (Long Bay College, Hibiscus Coast)
Greer Wilson (Queen Margaret College, Miramar Rangers)
Staff
Head coach: Ryan Shiffman
Assistant coach: Hollie Leona
Team manager: Lisa Chubb
Physiotherapist: Kasey Leary
About the Dallas Cup
The Dallas Cup is the oldest international youth football tournament in North America, having started as an annual Easter tournament in 1980.
About 40% of the participating teams are from outside of the United States.
The 2025 tournament includes competitions in 21 age brackets for boys’ and girls’ teams aged 10 to 19.
The 2025 tournament was officially opened by a parade of teams at Cotton Bowl Stadium, attended by 10,000 participants and spectators.
This story was first published on April 20, 2025.