Angels are UBC Tournament Champions
The Senior A Field Hockey Angels were perfect at the UBC Tournament, winning each of their games and capping it with a convincing win in the gold medal game over a capable and determined Argyle team. The win gave them a repeat championship at this tournament.
Facing Argyle in the final offered the girls a great opportunity to play a team that has traditionally been very closely matched to ours. Indeed, in last year's Bridgman Cup quarter finals, LFA and Argyle played one of the most memorable games in recent memory. Back and forth for 60 minutes, it had to be decided in a shoot out, where Athena Pucovsky '19 came up big to grab the victory. Approaching Argyle this year, the girls were determined to start fast. In fact, the fast start has been something of a trait for this year's team--and this game was no exception.
Eleanor Morrison '19 and Mikayla Stelling '21 took over the middle of the pitch from the push-back. Linking up with Alison Kuzyk '20 on the front line, the three of them dominated the game. And, despite their control, it was decidedly a team effort. Wingers Gabby Lee '19 and Alexa Dodds '20 were getting all sorts of opportunities in and around the Argyle D. It was only two or three minutes in before we were up 1-0. Wide halves Ava MacFarlane '20 and Sara Dee '20 were finding great space as Argyle began to reel under the pressure. Only five minutes in, we were up 2-0 on a well executed short corner and powerful flick by Eleanor. By ten minutes in, LFA had a commanding 4-0 lead.
If quick starts are one hallmark of this group, our hockey depth is another. The idea that players can step in for one another with no drop off in structure or game-play makes us uniquely difficult to play against. With a comfortable lead, our captains (Eleanor, Alison and Gabby) were able to spell off. In particular, Ava played brilliantly at centre-forward as she was joined on the front line by wingers Brooke Hamilton-Wong '20 and McKenzie Chisholm '20. Brooke would put us ahead 5-0 early in the second half.
The outside half-backs are so critical to our approach and rookies Charlie Kan ’22 and Catherine Blouin ’21 played long minutes throughout the game. Their steady, composed hockey allowed the team to make changes in the centre of the pitch. Meanwhile, our defenders continued to impress with their willingness to embrace a way of playing that presents both rewards and risks. Mimi Wallace ’20 and Francesca Yep ’20 have both been brilliant in the centre of our backfield. Gracie Korac ’20 has stepped into the backfield considerably more this year than in past years, giving us a really offensive-minded option that has been decisive in breaking out. Meanwhile, Stephanie Non ’20 and Maddie Luft ’20 have both made the step up from Junior seamlessly. It has been years since we have had such incredible depth in the backfield.
With the score 5-0 and several athletes getting experience in different positions, Argyle found new life. They began to pour on some real pressure and Hannah McGee ’20 was called upon to make some really good saves. The flow of the game suddenly went from LFA control to back-and-forth. On one of Argyle’s surges, they were able to find a space behind our defenders. Though the Argyle forward was pressured by the defenders and Hannah challenged well, she struck the ball perfectly into the corner. They quickly followed with another goal on a short corner. Indicative of the culture of the team, LFA found a way to re-assert itself without any panic. Indeed, LFA was pushing forward and in the midst of another scoring chance when the final whistle blew.
Our most senior field hockey team has made huge strides this year, as evidence by the dominant performance at the UBC Tournament. UBC offers two tiers. For many years, the second tier proved entirely appropriate--allowing us to play like-sized schools with similar skill-sets. This year performance demonstrates that the team is ready for the top tier, which they will take on next year.
Next up is the Bridgman Cup: high school field hockey’s most highly competitive tournament. The girls will have to contend with some adversity as we will play without two of our three captains for much of the tournament.
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
