NEW WESTMINSTER – The 2016 Canada West women's field hockey season opens this weekend with a bang, as the defending conference champion Victoria Vikes head to Vancouver to take on the defending national champion UBC Thunderbirds.
 
The bitter west coast rivals meet for the first of two regular season series, with games slated for Saturday (11 a.m. PT) and Sunday (11 a.m. PT) on UBC's campus.
 
It's been more than four decades since either the Vikes, or T-Birds haven't been the outright conference champions and that isn't expected to change this season.


 
Aside from split conference titles in 1973 (Alberta and UBC) and 1974 (Calgary and UBC), the Vikes and Thunderbirds have combined to stand atop Canada West ever season since 1972.
 
While Victoria earned bragging rights last season as conference champions by virtue of topping the regular season standings with a 7-0-1 mark, it was UBC that had the last laugh in 2015.
 
The Thunderbirds went into Victoria and earned a 3-2 victory (3-1 in a shootout) in the CIS national final to spoil what would've been an undefeated season for the host Vikes.


 
UBC's win was their fifth consecutive national title and 17th overall – both national records.
 
Now, with the majority of their 2015 squad intact, the Thunderbirds enter the new campaign intent on winning not only the national final, but also retaking their place atop Canada West.
 
In the conference preseason coaches poll – which saw coaches rank their competitors – both the Vikes and University of Calgary Dinos have tabbed the T-Birds to win the conference this season.
 
Victoria earned UBC's first-place vote in the poll, while Calgary was tabbed second by both their competitors.
 
Looking to make strides this season are the Dinos, who haven't won a conference game since the 2011 season – the last year the conference featured four teams.
 
Since that point, the Dinos have struggled against UBC and Victoria, who have been dominant in both Canada West and nationally. 
 
Calgary will have to wait until Week 2 for their chance to score an upset win, when they host the Vikes in the Stampede City.
 
For a complete look at each of the conference's three teams, see our team-by-team previews below.


 
UBC THUNDERBIRDS
 
2015 CW regular season record: 4-3-1, 2nd
2015 post-season record: 2-1-1, CIS champions
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2014 / 23
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: 2015 / 17
 
2015 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 14 goals, 2nd
Defence: 11 goals against, 2nd
 
2015 CW regular season leaders:
Goals: 3 – Hannah Haughn, MID
Wins: 3 – Rowan Harris, GK
Shutouts: 2 – Rowan Harris, GK
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Stephanie Norlander / F / 5 / West Vancouver, B.C. / University of Iowa / Canadian Senior National Team
Rachel Donohoe / SW / 5 / North Vancouver, B.C. / Germany
Hannah Eborall / D / 1 / Beamsville, Ont. / Canadian Junior National Team
Margaret Pham / MID / 1 / Mississauga, Ont. / Canadian Junior National Team
Abbey MacLellan / F / 2 / Pownal, P.E.I. / Northeastern University
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Katrina Davis / D / North Vancouver, B.C. / 5
 
Key performer:
Hannah Haughn
Central Midfielder
5^th-year
North Vancouver, B.C.
 
Haughn is the physically dominant, technically gifted engine that relentlessly drives the team. She is passionate about her craft and her team and continues to push everyone around her to both believe that anything is possible and continuously improve. Haughn was named the 2015 Canada West Player of the Year.
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY DINOS
 
2015 CW regular season record: 0-8, 3rd
2015 post-season record: N/A
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1974 / 2
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: N/A
 
2015 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 4 goals, 3rd
Defence: 22 GA, 3rd
 
2015 CW regular season leaders:
Goals: 1 – Meaghan Norlander, Danica Heath, Jessica Britton, Janelle Rice
Wins: /
Shutouts: /
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
 
Amanda Brown / D / 2 / Calgary, Alta. / Team Alberta
Nicole Brown / MID / 1 / Calgary, Alta. / Team Alberta
Ingrid Ulrich / GK / 2 / Calgary, Alta. / Saint Francis University
Chloe Keeler Young / MID/F / 1 / Calgary, Alta.
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Beckett Frisch / GK / Calgary, Alta. / 2
Brianna Agostinho / F / Oliver, BC / 1
Kimiko Durrer / D / Kelowna, BC / 4
 
Key performers (3):
Jessica Britton / D / Rossland, BC / 5^th-year
Sabrina Wong / D/F / West Vancouver, BC / 2^nd-year
Marion Arnott / D / West Vancouver, BC / 3^rd-year
 
Jessica Britton returns as the team's captain after being named a CIS All-Canadian last season. Sabrina Wong enters the season as a reigning CIS Rookie of the year and Marion Arnott will complete a solid defensive unit.
 
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA VIKES
 
2015 CW regular season record: 7-0-1, 1st
2015 post-season record: 1-2-1, 2nd CIS
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2015 / 19
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: 2008 / 11
 
2015 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 16 goals /1st
Defence: 1 goal against / 1st
 
2015 CW regular season leaders
Goals: 5 - Amanda Kurianowicz, F
Assists: 2 - Amanda Kurianowicz, F
Points: 7 - Amanda Kurianowicz, F
Wins: 5 - Larissa Piva, GK
Shutouts: 5 - Larissa Piva, GK
 
Key additions: (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Emily Wong / 1 / MID / Vancouver, B.C. / Kilarney Secondary
Cilia van Nierop / 1 / F / Hilversum, NED / Utrecht University
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Sheriden Goodmandson / GK / Victoria, B.C. / 4
Andrea Jones / MID / Vancouver, B.C. / 4
Mei Lin Cheung / F / Kamloops, B.C. / 4
 
Key performer:
Rosie Beal
Defender
5^th-year
Victoria, B.C.
 
Beal is splitting her time this season between Victoria and Vancouver where she trains with the Canadian national team. The fifth-year defender played a key role in a Vikes defence that allowed only one goal during the Canada West regular season last year. Beal will be counted on to provide leadership both in games as well as during practice.