A windswept Saxton Field ensured tough conditions for Nelson Suburbs in its last home game of the Women’s South Island League on Sunday.
Captain Emily Lauer lobbed a ball over the Otago University goalkeeper to open the scoring in just the second minute.
The visitors, who are third on the table after beating Suburbs 3-0 in Dunedin the previous week, levelled in the 28th minute.
Liene Schulz Steinen had the best chance for Suburbs in the second half, but her shot slid wide.
Otago University dominated possession but was repeatedly denied by keeper Simonne MacManus and the match finished at 1-all.
It was the fifth draw of the season for Suburbs, which is sixth of the eight teams after 13 rounds, with one to go.
Meanwhile the men probably thought they were back in Auckland, the way they started against Ferrymead Bays in Christchurch on Saturday.
Another slow start saw Nelson Suburbs 2-0 down after just seven minutes.
A depleted team, missing striker Lennon Whewell with a hamstring injury, then trailed 4-0 at halftime and an 87th minute strike completed a 5-0 victory for second-placed Ferrymead.
It doesn’t get any easier for mid-table Suburbs, hosting unbeaten Cashmere Technical in its final home game next Sunday.
Meanwhile the Nelson club finals will be staged at Saxton Field on Saturday, with Richmond facing Blenheim side Rangers in the Price Charity Cup at 3pm.
