Hirano finished with a goal and an assist in a busy workload to help Western Springs beat Southern United 2-1 at Seddon Fields in Auckland on Saturday.
She has scored in the opening three games of the national league and helped to push Western Springs up the table with their first win of the season.
Southern held strong against their Auckland opponents in a physical contest and had some really good touches. They just had a couple of moments when they left themselves open, and Western Springs pounced.
The first came in the 22nd minute, where Western Springs were searching for an equaliser after being down 1-0.
Hirano came charging down the left, worked her way into the box and held the ball out close to the post.
That forced Southern defenders to track her into the space, and drew goalkeeper Lauren Paterson over as well.
Hirano then tucked the ball in the centre for Kitty Jacobs to tap in for an equaliser.
Hirano added her own in the 78th minute to give Western Springs the lead.
Former Football Fern Aimee Phillips brought the ball down on a wonderful counter attack.
Southern United’s defence was strong to deflect the ball, but Hirano made sure of the deflection and tucked it into the right top corner.
It was a frustrating momentum swing for the southerners, who had been searching fearlessly for their winner.
Southern stalwart Shontelle Smith, who returned to the team this season, made the breakthrough for the visitors in the eighth minute.
A wonder strike ball that looked to be heading wide left swung back perfectly to give Southern a 1-0 lead.
Southern swatted away a couple of Western Springs threats to goal but otherwise managed to hold possession until the end of the first half.
Southern won a free kick in a central position. The shot was on target but well saved by Western Springs goalkeeper Angelique Tuisamoa.
Tiana Hill was yellow-carded and Southern had a couple of late free kicks. But it remained 1-1 at halftime.
Stacy Martin had Southern’s best chance in the second half.
Captain Rose Morton stole the ball, made a charging run and pushed it left to Martin. Her shot was on target, but Tuisamoa got a finger tip to it to push it over the cross bar in the 67th minute.
Defending champions Auckland United had a convincing 5-1 win over Central to remain unbeaten after 42 games.
Wellington United beat neighbours Phoenix Reserves 4-0, Canterbury Pride United toppled West Coast Rangers 4-3 and Waterside Karori beat Eastern Suburbs 1-0.
National League
The scores
Western Springs 2
Kitty Jacobs 22’, Rina Hirano 78’
Southern United 1
Shontelle Smith 8’
Halftime: 1-1
