The game was up for grabs at the half way mark, with both teams kept scoreless throughout the first spell.
Finally, Bream Bay were awarded a penalty corner early in the second half, with Ivo Rongen successfully finding the back of the goal for his side. Mangapai swiftly replied, levelling the game once more.
The game was still tied 1-1 at fulltime, so the match went into extra time drop offs to determine a winner.
Teams were reduced to nine-a-side, then seven-a-side, before the game went down to a penalty stroke shoot out. Bream Bay won the match on the final stroke, 4-2, thankful Mangapai had missed one of their earlier strokes, Gribble said.
The coach was very proud of her side who have struggled over the past few weeks without their skipper Dave Adams after he broke his arm last month, which ended his hockey season.
"Chad Cahalane was very composed at the back, which we have missed since Dave has been out. Chad stepped up and showed a lot of composure in the position, as did centre half Aaryn Koia who also had a very good game," she said.
The win also proved to the team they are capable of winning without Adams - their "little general" they just need to believe they are up to it, Gribble added.
Bream Bay United will play Maungakaramea Men on Saturday, during Hockey Northland's finals day.
In the Northland Premier Women's competition, minor premiers Chilltech Old Girls had a convincing 8-1 victory over Whangarei Girls High, on Saturday which cemented their spot in the final.
They will play Maungakaramea, who finished the round robin third on the ladder, after defeating the second-ranked Gimore Brown Springfield A side, 4-2. Maungakaramea had their full complement of players, including Black Sticks Anna Thorpe and Ella Gunson lining up for them - a rarity for the team in what has been a busy year for the national representatives.
