Was it a UFO? Was it divine intervention perhaps? Nope. It was just a rogue frisbee and it caused a major controversy during the final game on the opening day of the Federation Cup in Dunedin.
St Hilda's Collegiate and Bethlehem College had battled to a 3-3 draw before the home team scored what it thought was the winner in the dying moments of the match from a penalty corner.
That rogue frisbee made its appearance about the same time the goal was scored, hurtling in from the skies above the neighbouring Logan Park.
Bethlehem claimed the frisbee had had a bearing on the goal being scored and it was promptly disallowed. Another penalty corner was awarded but no goal was scored.
The game ended in a 3-3 draw.
But St Hilda's was not convinced the goal should have been disallowed and lodged a protest.
The deliberations continued long after the final whistle but the officials were unable to make a decision.
They will review mobile phone footage this morning before reaching a verdict. If the Dunedin school's protest is successful, it will go into its final round-robin match against Auckland Diocesan with a quarterfinal spot secure.
If not, St Hilda's will need to beat the undefeated Auckland side or hope Bethlehem trips up against New Plymouth Girls.
St Hilda's had better luck earlier in the day, beating New Plymouth Girls' 1-0. After a goalless first half, the tension grew by the minute as the home team launched assault after assault, only to be thwarted.
Most of the forays were made down the right flank, with defender Annabel Girvan linking beautifully with midfielder Polly Inglis.
Striker Pip Dingle was inevitably on the end of that train and impressed with her pace and fabulous ball control. She almost always beat the first defender and made several decisive runs into the circle, but could not find the back of the net.
The winner came late in the match when Inglis weaved her way around three or four defenders and slotted the ball past the forlorn goalie.
The Federation Cup is one of four school competitions in the region this week.
A New Zealand girls secondary schools football tournament is right next door at Logan Park.
The South Island secondary schools ice hockey tournament is at the Dunedin Ice Stadium, and Queenstown is hosting an under-15 rugby tournament.
