Convincing Win to Finish Season
With their Provincial Championships hopes dashed in the shoot-out loss earlier in the day, there could have a let-down by our Senior A Field Hockey Angels. It will be no surprise to anyone who knows this group that they gave everything they had until the final whistle. In fact, the girls really viewed this game as a blessing--an opportunity to end the season on a high note, playing great hockey, and letting our five senior players enjoy every moment of their final high school field hockey game.
The girls came out charging forward. There really was a sentiment that they would not be denied in this final game of the season. Within moments, they had collected their first short corner. Allison Kuzyk '20 pulled the ball out to Grace Doyle '17, who ducked right and slipped the ball into Eleanor (Elmo) Morrison '19. She stopped it and Nicole Shi '18 stepped into a flick. Though well executed, we simply could not overcome the slow speed of the field-turf. One corner turned into dozens throughout the game, but we just could not find a way to make it work on this day.
Still, the possession and dominance was something to behold. GNS simply had no answer to LFA's team-play. Relying on tackling the girl with the ball, LFA simply passed the ball around. It looked, at times, like a drill at practice. It showed the quality of teamwork that this group of athletes had bought into over the season. Certainly Grace, Elmo and Nicole were dominant in the centre of the pitch. Grace, in her final game, somehow elevated her game as we pressed to finally find that goal. Olivia (Liv) Graham '17, also in her final game, simply ran and ran and ran. She pressed. She tracked back. She fronted free hits. She ran down passes. As Gabby Lee '19, Mira Teoli '18 and Lorraine Fabre '18 subbed in on the other flank, they also added a stretch dimension to our attack. You could see the younger athletes making certain the senior's last game would be something special.
Naomi Shi '18 patrolled the right side. Her ability to beat the defender and release opened up all sorts of space and time, especially for Allison and Liv. Jessica Chong '18 and Ashley Klomp '18 spelled in and out of the backfield as they got some well-deserved breaks in this game, having played a ton in the first game. Gracie Korak '20 played her best hockey of the season in the final game. She was calm with the ball at the back, twisting and turning out of trouble and releasing the ball perfectly up the field. Their consistency and tenacity bode well for LFA's team next season and it was a joy to see them elevate their level of hockey as the season wound down.
Sarah Foster '17 played in the backfield as she has done for the past four years. In a game tilted towards the opposition, she still managed to get into the play and ensure that any counter attack that GNS might have found was snuffed out. Likewise, goalie Claudia Aparicio '17 was extraordinarily aggressive in her "d". The few times the ball managed its way into her zone, Claudia had it cleared. Several times, kicking right back into the midfield for us to seamlessly move into the attack.
At half time, the score was still deadlocked at 0-0. Incredibly, LFA had now played 90s minutes of hockey in the opposition end over two games and despite dozens of shots, had not found the back of the net. It was only a matter of time.
As the second half started, Keely McConnell '17 found herself more in the attack on the wide left half. It was her hard work and a clever pass to Nicole that released Allison on the GNS 25. Running full-tilt, Allison turned three GNS defenders inside out before clearing alone into the "d", pulling right and calmly slotting the ball into the left corner of the net. 1-0. The relief was palpable. It was good news too as Frances Scheepers '18, whose season was already disrupted by a major ankle injury in the off-season, was forced off due to injury. Likewise, Alex Legge '19 opted out as she nursed a minor injury, which wasn't worth aggravating--though she did go on briefly to be part of the game.
With Allison's goal, there was a new belief. The surge of LFA attack became an onslaught. The press continually turned the ball over. On one of the turn-overs, Liv found herself with the ball at the top of the "d" and quickly released a low shot to the far corner. The goalie lunged to reach it, but it was perfectly placed. Liv opened the scoring for us this season and would close our scoring out in her final game.
Captains Grace, Liv and Nicole deserve a special shout-out for their mature and level leadership all year long. They, like the team as a whole, were a joy to work with. The girls represented their school with class and dignity and sportsmanship throughout. Coaches Cedric, Paul and Ben are so very proud of them.
Back
Still, the possession and dominance was something to behold. GNS simply had no answer to LFA's team-play. Relying on tackling the girl with the ball, LFA simply passed the ball around. It looked, at times, like a drill at practice. It showed the quality of teamwork that this group of athletes had bought into over the season. Certainly Grace, Elmo and Nicole were dominant in the centre of the pitch. Grace, in her final game, somehow elevated her game as we pressed to finally find that goal. Olivia (Liv) Graham '17, also in her final game, simply ran and ran and ran. She pressed. She tracked back. She fronted free hits. She ran down passes. As Gabby Lee '19, Mira Teoli '18 and Lorraine Fabre '18 subbed in on the other flank, they also added a stretch dimension to our attack. You could see the younger athletes making certain the senior's last game would be something special.
Naomi Shi '18 patrolled the right side. Her ability to beat the defender and release opened up all sorts of space and time, especially for Allison and Liv. Jessica Chong '18 and Ashley Klomp '18 spelled in and out of the backfield as they got some well-deserved breaks in this game, having played a ton in the first game. Gracie Korak '20 played her best hockey of the season in the final game. She was calm with the ball at the back, twisting and turning out of trouble and releasing the ball perfectly up the field. Their consistency and tenacity bode well for LFA's team next season and it was a joy to see them elevate their level of hockey as the season wound down.
Sarah Foster '17 played in the backfield as she has done for the past four years. In a game tilted towards the opposition, she still managed to get into the play and ensure that any counter attack that GNS might have found was snuffed out. Likewise, goalie Claudia Aparicio '17 was extraordinarily aggressive in her "d". The few times the ball managed its way into her zone, Claudia had it cleared. Several times, kicking right back into the midfield for us to seamlessly move into the attack.
At half time, the score was still deadlocked at 0-0. Incredibly, LFA had now played 90s minutes of hockey in the opposition end over two games and despite dozens of shots, had not found the back of the net. It was only a matter of time.
As the second half started, Keely McConnell '17 found herself more in the attack on the wide left half. It was her hard work and a clever pass to Nicole that released Allison on the GNS 25. Running full-tilt, Allison turned three GNS defenders inside out before clearing alone into the "d", pulling right and calmly slotting the ball into the left corner of the net. 1-0. The relief was palpable. It was good news too as Frances Scheepers '18, whose season was already disrupted by a major ankle injury in the off-season, was forced off due to injury. Likewise, Alex Legge '19 opted out as she nursed a minor injury, which wasn't worth aggravating--though she did go on briefly to be part of the game.
With Allison's goal, there was a new belief. The surge of LFA attack became an onslaught. The press continually turned the ball over. On one of the turn-overs, Liv found herself with the ball at the top of the "d" and quickly released a low shot to the far corner. The goalie lunged to reach it, but it was perfectly placed. Liv opened the scoring for us this season and would close our scoring out in her final game.
Captains Grace, Liv and Nicole deserve a special shout-out for their mature and level leadership all year long. They, like the team as a whole, were a joy to work with. The girls represented their school with class and dignity and sportsmanship throughout. Coaches Cedric, Paul and Ben are so very proud of them.
School Information
4195 Alexandra Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 4C6
Tel: 604-738-9016
Support LFA | Contact Us | School Calendar
Tel: 604-738-9016
Support LFA | Contact Us | School Calendar
