Day 3 - Game 6 - UVic 1 UBC 0
VANCOUVER - The University of Victoria women's field hockey team edged the UBC Thunderbirds 1-0 Sunday afternoon to finish the campaign with a perfect 8-0 record and retain their Canada West championship crown for a third-straight season.
Nora Struchtrup's goal in the second quarters 23rd minute proved to be the difference for the Vikes who finished the three-day round robin tournament at Wright Field in Vancouver with a 4-0 record. It was the second and final tournament of the season under the new schedule format that saw UVic claim the three-peat for conference supremacy. The Thunderbirds concluded the season as silver medalists while the Calgary Dinos collected Bronze.
The Vikes will now look to defend their national championship titles from 2018 and 2019 when they head to Ontario to take on the OUA Champion in a best-of-three series fro the 2021 U SPORTS title.
Sunday's sixth and final game of the tournament opened with both teams playing composed hockey. UBC pressing high and often with UVic content to back off a little allowing UBC to play the ball uncontested around their back field.
While both teams were reasonable in possession, UBC probably generated more attacking opportunities inside the Vikes 23 m zone compared to their island rivals. The most significant one came with six minutes to go in the quarter when Kaileigh Chow struck a hard-hit flat ball from just outside the 23 m mark that was begging for a deflection opportunity. The ball unfortunately went by the far post uncontested.
UVic's first real opportunity came with a minute left to go in the quarter. A good penetrating run by UBC Sara Goodman out of deep defence was met with a strong tackle by the Vikes # 11 who counterattacked on a 45 yard unpressured breakaway all the way into the UBC circle. A hard pass across the face of the goal was successfully redirected by the UBC defence and you UVic was not able to convert.
The Vikes opened the second quarter with more consistent attacking pressure however the first good chance came off some strong UBC movement around the backfield and some solid possession under pressure by UBC #26 Lize H who has been outstanding for ubc all tournament. Lize released a pass to Thora Rae who forwarded quickly to Alix Vanry who unfortunately was unable to get past an ever present Robin Flemming.
Both teams continued to generate good attacking opportunities but UVic was the first to break the deadlock at the 23rd minute mark. Good strong ball movement in midfield and a strong release pass up the right side allowed Struchtrup to gain the circle. Despite being swarmed by ubc defenders, Struchtrup stayed composed and made a strong pass by keeper Hannah Rumble that found the backboard just inside the far left post and The Vikes had the first and what would prove to be the only goal of the game.
The T-Birds answered almost immediately with pressure of their own and found success most often up their left side with early releases to #6 Thora Rae and UBC #2 Liz Mathisen. Both were able to keep possession effectively but we're unable to break into the circle and cause any real threat.
The first penalty corner of the game was awarded to UBC three minutes into the third quarter. A pull to the left and a reverse stick strike by Sara Goodman looked like it was going to find the net but it was smothered by goalkeeper Robin Fleming resulting in a corner being re-awarded. The second opportunity went straight to the main battery for a direct sweep on net by Sara Goodman that was deflected wide by the Vikes first runner.
UBC kept up the pressure this time from #18 Mikayla Stelling forcing a defensive bobble off her hard pass into the circle by UVic and earning another penalty corner for ubc. This time the injection was once again to the main battery but the option was a layoff left to Sara Goodman for a hard sweep to the far post. Uvic was up to the task though And intercepted the ball cleanly.
The fourth quarter opened with some good attack by Uvic. Crisp early outletting up the right side and late transfers in the midfield allowed the Vikes to break into the 23 meter zone. However, good foot work and composed tackling by both Sarah and Jenna Goodman respectively, prevented them from taking any meaningful strikes on net.
The Vikes first good chance of the final quarter came with a penetrating run up the right side by # 23 Madeline Mittelsteadt getting into the ubc circle and sliding the ball hard across goalmouth. Keeper Hannah Rumble was beaten but UVic forward # 11 Struchtrup failed to connect at the far post for what would've been a sure goal.
The final significant chance of the game came with just two minutes left and UVic winning a penalty corner. The direct strike was well handled by the UBC defence.
The win completes an undefeated season for the Vikes and makes a strong statement about their level of preparedness as they go in search of a third consecutive U SPORTS Championship.
Thunderbirds head coach Poonam Sandhu took a moment at the end of the game to thank her staff, athletes, and their incredible parents and supporters for their support and commitment through a very unique amd challenging season. She also took the time to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of her graduating seniors. Sara Goodman, Kaileigh Chow, Jordyn Faiczak, Natalie Hope and Thora Rae have all made such a tremendous on both team performance and culture over the course of their incredible careers at UBC. They will be significantly missed both on and off the field.
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Day 3 - Game 5 - UVic 5 CAL 1
Vikes remain undefeated with conference title in tow
The three-time defending Canada West champion University of Victoria Vikes earned their seventh consecutive victory of the season in a 5-1 victory over the winless Calgary Dinos during the final tournament of the regular season at Wright Field.
Victoria clinched their fourth straight conference title with a win over the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday evening and have already secured a berth to the U SPORTS Championships in Ontario where they will look to defend their national championship titles from 2018 and 2019.
The alternate Canada West round robin tournament slate comes to an end on Sunday, October 24th, when the Vikes will take home the Canada West crown in Vancouver after a meeting with the host Thunderbirds.
Scoring Summary
First Half
CAL - #21 Mel Scholz, PC, 2, 0-1
UVIC - #23 Madeline Mittelsteadt, FG, 4', 1-1
UVIC - # 11, Nora Struchtrup, PS, 5', 2-1
UVIC - # 9 Chloe Langkammer, FG, 6' 3-1
Second Half
UVIC - #23 Madeline Mittelsteadt, FG, 34', 4-1
UVIC - # 9 Chloe Langkammer, FG, 58' 5-1
Goalkeepers
UVIC - Robin Fleming, 60 MP, 1 GA
CGY - Alana Madrid, 30MP, 2 GA*
CGY - Tayler Guy, 30MP, 3 GA
*Alana started the game, Tayler subbed in for the penalty stroke in the first quarter then was taken out before coming in again to stay at the start of the 3rd quarter.
Cards
UVIC - # 8 Melanie Robertson 54' GC
