LFA Captures Bridgman Bronze

LFA put in the full effort in pool play, scoring wins over the AA Sea to Sky powerhouse Rockridge and the Island's perennial field hockey strength Quw'utsun. There was emotional win in the quarter final over long time rival and one of the Provincial favourites, in Collingwood. LFA scored a remarkable 11 goals (and 4 called back!) in the first three games as the leaned into their offensive weapons--none moreso than Amy, who would go on to score 11 goals herself by the time all was said and done.

The semi finals against Crofton proved a familiar story-line. The quickly gave up a goal to their cross town rivals. Then Crofton would double the score on a short corner before we were able to get one back. With the goal, LFA was able to really bring the game into focus. Surely even, with maybe even a slight edge in possession to the Angels. Regardless, the second goal was well deserved and LFA had it even. However, their short corner defending would be their weakness as LFA fell behind late. Still, with only a couple minutes to go, LFA managed to grab a short corner for themselves. With some devastating shooters on the roster, one gives up PCs to LFA at their own risk. Sure enough, Eva ripped in a wicked flick, tinking the post just below the cross bar to draw the game even... but it would not count. It was a very unfortunate call where the umpires felt the ball had not fully left the D on Amy's beautiful stop. No goal. No comeback in this game as LFA would go to bed wondering what could have been, hoping for the Handsworth final rematch.

The bronze medal game against Kelowna was a beauty. Someone forgot to tell these two teams that disappointment might lead to a lesser effort. The game was track meet. End to end. LFA opted for possession and probing play while Kelowna battled back with press structure and break-neck counter attack. It would be Amy and another short corner that got LFA the lead, which the defended well for 50 minutes... but with about 10 minutes left, a couple of calls that seemed out of character with the tone of the game suddenly had LFA down three players (!) to the sin bin. Kelowna took their opportunity for two well-worked goals, and with six minutes to play, LFA was again down. 

The character of the team shone through. They dug deeper. They worked harder. They focused. They were "dialed in", as one might say. Sure enough, another short corner earned and another goal to LFA. Tied and sensing the advantage, LFA found something even deeper and surged. A corner earned at the whistle was another sure goal but for a foot--giving LFA a penalty stroke with no time on the clock. Amy walked up and delivered yet another goal for the win. 

A great display by our Angels in victory and defeat--this group is a class act. Excited to see them at the Zone Championships these coming weeks!