Wellington Phoenix women's homecoming has been spoiled by Melbourne City, falling to a 4-1 defeat in their first match at Sky Stadium.
Taking the field in front of home fans for the first time, the Phoenix kept City scoreless in the first half, before the floodgates opened in the second to condemn the home side.
Missing captain and goalkeeper Lily Alfeld through injury, the Phoenix lacked leadership in one of the most significant days in the history of women's football in New Zealand.
From an attacking free-kick, the Phoenix were hit on the counter and conceded the opening goal, when Maria Jose Rojas' cross was headed into the net by Bryleeh Henry.
And after providing the opener, Rojas got on the scoresheet herself to net the second, dribbling inside the Phoenix area and firing a shot past keeper Brianna Edwards.
The Phoenix pushed in the hope of scoring a goal of their own, before Rojas won a penalty, when fouled by Zoe McMeeken just after the hour mark.
Acting captain Rhianna Pollicina converted the spot-kick, despite Edwards getting a hand on it, to go 3-0 up.
Pollicina had a double just four minutes later, curling a shot past a stranded Edwards to complete Melbourne City's scoring.
The Phoenix were able to grab a goal back, when Ava Pritchard's shot was turned into the net for an own goal to Melbourne City defender Kaitlyn Torpey to give the home side something to cheer.
But with less than 10 minutes on the clock and no real hope of pushing for a draw, the Phoenix settled to limit the damage.
Despite the defeat, the performances of debutants Paige Satchell and Betsy Hassett should give the Phoenix confidence moving forward, while Milly Clegg, 17, also became the club's youngest player.
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Torpey OG) Melbourne City 4 (Henry, Rojas, Pollicina 2)
