Angels Fourth in BC

Third-ranked LFA matched up against fourteenth-ranked Okanagan Mission (OKM) in the opening match at Glenlyon Norfolk School in Victoria. The Angels came out absolutely flying. Playing a wonderful brand of hockey, they immediately asserted themselves and demonstrated a commitment to team play. From the initial push-back, LFA maintained possession. Allison Kuzyk ’20 worked the ball strong-side to Gracie Korac ’20. Gracie slipped the ball inside to Sara Dee ’20, who moved the ball back-outside and up the wing to Catherine Blouin ’21. Catherine deftly moved right, and kept the tic-tac-toe passes going by base-lining the ball to Charlie Kan ’22 inside the D. The ball was pass across the mouth of goal and slotted home by Sara to get LFA up within a minute of the game’s start.

While it must have been foreboding for OKM, they re-grouped and were tenacious in marking us. They worked incredibly hard to neutralize LFA’s potent teamwork. Still, LFA was too much on the morning and poured forward. With LFA’s most elite threat in the middle of the pitch, Allison and Mikayla Stelling ’21 were dominant and unselfish on the soccer-turf. The ball moved in and out and our wide-side halves saw loads of the ball. Samantha Zastre ’20, Stephanie Non ’20 and Catherine patrolled the right half while Hailey Kreuger ’21, Sam and Charlie were main-stays on the left half. The constant feed of quality balls forward had our wingers running rampant and quality opportunities fell to Brooke Hamilton-Wong ’20, Alexis Mezzaroba ’21, Alexa Dodds ’21, and Maya Pasut ’21. With opportunities cam goals as LFA built a 5-0 lead at half time and a 7-0 lead by early in the second half. Testament to LFA’s team-play, goal-scoring was incredibly balanced. Allison, Maya, Mikayla, Alexis, and central defender Ava MacFarlane ’20 added to Sara’s goal, while Francesca Yep ’20 added a lovely finish on a short corner. Late in the game, and demonstrating OKM’s determination, their key central midfielder gathered a loose ball and charged forward to get one goal back. Still, LFA had done what they needed to do and took the win with a five goal difference which was important to winning the Pool.

LFA 5 – 0 Brentwood College
LFA’s second game of Day 1 gave them (incredibly for a high level tournament) their only game of the tournament on proper field hockey turf. With the fast surface, our Angels were full value. Swinging the ball left and right across the backfield, Ava, Frankie, Amelia Wallace ’20 and Madalyn Luft ’20 saw loads of the ball, despite being under very little pressure from the Brentwood attack. The fast lateral transition quickly caused holes in the Brentwood defense, which were really well exploited—especially by Mikayla, Allison and Gracie in the middle of the pitch. It was only a matter of time before the possession and control resulted in a goal. In fact, the first came on a short corner. On the hockey turf, our corner unit was able to execute with wonderful precision: Frankie dragged out strong to a perfect stop by Ava. Allison was lined up and stepped through into a drag flick that soared by the keeper into the netting. The other team’s bench audibly sighed. Later, a pass rocketed high across the pitch, which Gracie calmly pulled out of the air, then popped back up over the defenders stick and we were off to the races. Charlie added an energy and tenacity on the ball as she elevated her play and dominated the right side of the pitch. Still early in the game, all indications were that Brentwood was facing an LFA team firing on all cylinders.

Allison would get her hat-trick in the game and Sara would add her second of the tournament on a lovely flick to the right corner of the net, but it was the final two goals which stood out on the day. The first was a lovely weak-side (left) run by Allison. She was quickly double-teamed at the top of the D. As she set up to drive a back-hand hit (known as a tomahawk), another defender moved in. Sensing the pressure, Allison slipped the ball backwards to the top of the D at full speed to a waiting Mikayla. Having taken three defenders left, Allison had created all sorts of space for Mikayla to calmly settle the ball and rifle a hard flick in to the corner of the net. It was a very high level goal for high school hockey. Not to be outdone, our short final short corner of the game was executed with shocking precision: the ball was injected by Frankie to Mikayla, who paused to allow the first runner to close the gap before slipping it back to Frankie, who in turn put a perfect pass into traffic and right on Allison’s stick. Allison doesn’t often miss from the penalty spot and she didn’t on this one. Tic-tac-toe, we had our five goal spread and a commanding position in our Pool.

LFA 5 – 0 GW Graham
With a later start on Day 2, the team felt well rested coming into their final pool game. GW Graham were clearly up for the game, looking to improve on Brentwood’s result against us. They moved the ball well and were able to create a some counter-attack on us through the first few minutes. LFA’s ball control would, however, quickly take over. Mimi and Frankie were critical in the transition and we managed to isolate some wide-side runs. Allison and Sam also stood out as Sam just seemed to find the open seam in the GW zone and had the ball on her stick all game. Our wingers were also able to really get into the game as we used long, searching passes on the slow turf. Alexa was able to pull down several balls and used a deft first touch and lightning speed to create opportunities and several short corners.

It would, however, be Allison who did the scoring damage. A rocketed hit on the short corner started us off, but there would be two nearly identical drives from the 25 that took her back-stick, where her calm delivery just found the space and the backboard. Another perfectly executed short-corner, identical to the Brentwood game, saw Frankie-Mikayla-Frankie-Allison combine for a stunning goal. Sara’s incredible work ethic at centre-forward again paid dividends as she got her third goal in three games. By the end, we had about 10 minutes to look at the future of the team as Catherine and Mikayla moved into the centre of the pitch, supported by Charlie and Hailey in the midfield and a forward line that included Maya, Alexis, and Brooke. In the end, LFA just overwhelmed GW with disciplined commitment to a well-executed system, despite an admirable work ethic from our opponents.

LFA 3 – 1 JL Crowe
Finishing top of our pool, LFA found itself facing JL Crowe in a rematch of last year’s final game. This time on slow, soccer turf, LFA knew some of their lateral movement would be hindered by the surface. True to form, Crowe was all over the lateral passes and pressed hard. Where we broke through, we were quickly overwhelmed by reckless tackles that would typically have resulted in calls. Not on this day. Fighting the turf, fighting through stick-work, and up against a very athletic opponent, LFA found themselves facing the first real adversity of the tournament. To their credit, they dug in and we adapted our attack, looking for through balls. Allison and Mikayla were still the class of the centre of the pitch, so we managed to move forward. Sam was able to transition with speed and great position in our system, while Stephanie provided exactly the same kind of consistency when she was in on the wide side. Gracie, on the far side, found herself wide open. The struggle remained to get her the ball. As Ava, Frankie and Mimi employed greater use of the hit, we started to see our skill advantage translate. Eventually, Allison found herself alone in the D and hammered home a goal to give us the lead. But Crowe had other plans and, on a counter attack off a broken play, managed to catch us flat footed and even the score.

The game settled into a rhythm of LFA pressure and possession against Crowe counter attack. Both had their merits, but the far greater number of chances went to LFA. Maya, connecting with Sara, snuck in when we transitioned through the centre and got forward. We couldn’t convert the short corner she’d worked hard to win. We moved players around, getting Allison to the front and using Sara on the wide side, while Gracie moved into the centre of the pitch. In the end, though, it was Catherine’s hard work all game that finally paid off with about 10 minutes to go. Streaking towards the post, Frin lunged for a ball wonderfullly fired across the face of the net by Charlie and she masterfully tucked it home to give us the lead. Where we sagged the first time we scored, we charged the second time, sensing our opponents’ heads were down. Moving right and up the field, we had calm possession to their 25, where Allison took over. On a super fast free hit by Frankie, Allison took the top of the D and launched a rocket of a tomahawk, high into the top corner of the net. The poor Crowe goalie could only watch in amazement. Up 3-1, Crowe’s spirits sagged noticeably. Frankie and Ava put their stamp on proceedings by meticulously slowing things down and playing smart, safe balls forward. It was a hard fought game against an excellent opponent, but we were well deserving to move on to the semifinals.

LFA 1 – 1 Shawnigan Lake (Shawnigan 4-1 on penalties)
In the weeks leading up to Provincials, a great deal of preparation had gone into our probable semi-final and final opponents. The coaching staff had scouted Shawnigan at Provincials and we’d played them back in September, where LFA lost 2-0. The team got ready and were committed to playing a specific game plan against a very good opponent. The coaching staff commented that they’d never prepped a high school team with such a granular level of detail before. We started our first game of Day 3 with resolve and an expectation we had something special to give.

Yet again, LFA found itself on the soccer turf, despite playing a semi-final game at a Provincial tournament. The slow turf impacted both teams who have a good amount of experience on hockey turf as both adapted to a longer ball game. With two junior Canadian squad players on Shawnigan, we keyed on those players. Sara, in particular, had an extraordinary assignment: front their top player and don’t get beat. It was one of the most exceptional games we have ever seen Sara play. Not only did she neutralize their top player, Sara regularly held possession and created far more than she gave up. It was a really special moment of field hockey. Notwithstanding Sara’s game, we only stood a chance if the whole team executed—which they did in spades. The marking was impeccable throughout. Our dedication to being “first to the ball” gave us the upper hand across the pitch. Allison sacrificed her own time, space and opportunity to neutralize their other top threat. Allison completely outplayed her. Mikayla had acres of space to make all sorts of great things happen. Mimi was simply outrageous in the backfield, as we seemed to gravitate left. Ava played her best game in LFA colours, stopping several chances in the D, but also making elite decisions with the ball nearly every time she touched it. Frankie, at right back, gave us her usual defensively excellent game and, like Mimi and Ava, provided perfect transition out of the backfield. The few times that Shawnagin did manage themselves into our D, Hannah McGee ’20 was perfect in net, calmly batting away the couple of shots that came her way. One, in particular, came in high and hard: Hannah simply blocked and cleared, as if it were routine.

The game stayed 0-0 for ages. Late in the second half, we lost Mimi to injury. Maddie stepped in and was simply superb. So, too, was Stephanie when she covered at left back. Then Gracie went down with injury and suddenly two key players were on the bench. Sam, Stephanie and Charlie all stepped up on the wide sides and early in the second half, we found our breakthrough. In a nearly identical goal for Catherine as she scored against Crowe, she cut towards the post and touched home a wonderful pass from Allison, just getting it through the goalie’s legs. Up 1-0, LFA started to take over the game. Possession was overwhelmingly ours but we just couldn’t find the second goal. Three short corners ended in a couple of close calls, but not the critical goal.

With mere minutes to go, Shawnigan surged forward on a counter attack with the urgency of the clock pressing them all forward. Sara was bodied and had her stick stepped on but, shockingly, was sent off for throwing her stick and Shawnagin was given the corner. We stopped the first one but another corner was given. They slipped right on the second corner and hit a ball into the far left corner to tie the game with three minutes left. While we pressed for a game winner, it was off to a shoot-out. As is so often the case, shoot-outs feel like the toss of a coin. A bobbled ball and a lucky bounce are the difference, especially on soccer turf. Shawnigan won and our girls were devastated as they realized they wouldn’t be playing for gold. Coach Fitch commented, “That was one of the most amazing high school games I’ve seen in 25 years of coaching high school field hockey. The pace throughout was astonishing. The teams were perfectly matched. While deeply disappointing, what a stunning game of hockey.”

LFA 1 – 1 York House (York House 3-1 on penalties)
Emotionally exhausted and with two key players on the sideline, LFA limped into the bronze medal match. This team, however, has resolve. They showed that resolve by picking themselves up when the whistle blew and we were off to the races. Chances came to LFA over and over again. A wicked short corner flick by Allison was saved. A slip left on the short corner was saved by the York keeper. A brilliant push by Sara in tight was denied. A near break-away for Maya was punted away by the sprawling keeper. Several goal mouth scrambles were denied by desperate York defenders. Still, Allison corralled a rebound on a left side short corner option taken well by Mikayla and slotted home a reverse stick hit to give us the 1-0 lead. More chances came, but they just wouldn’t fall.

After about 40 minutes of complete control, with the occasional York foray, York found their high gear and pressed us. Gracie went in to help, despite playing hurt. Everyone ran their hearts out to get back and defend. York possession was smartly down the right side. A missed marking assignment after some frenetic hockey allowed the York player to drive the line and push the ball out front, where it was one-timed just past Hannah’s pad. 1-1. After so much, there was just nothing left in our tank. The game played out in the midfield despite a couple of stunning individual skills from Allison to try and break through. Another game, another shoot-out. Allison hit the outside of the post. The ball on the soccer turf bounced off the stick on Ava, which never happens. You could feel it slipping away… when the goalie covered the ball to kill the time, it was over. It was a tough loss against a really good team. We’d beaten them four times this year, but sadly not when it counted.

 

As the team gathered for the medal ceremony, the disappointment was palpable. This was one of the strongest LFA teams in recent memory. The level of commitment and focus is to be commended. Most importantly, the culture of Senior A Field Hockey at LFA remains something uniquely special. Respect for one another and impeccable sportsmanship define this group of young women. The lifelong friendships that are fostered yearly on this team make it so very special to witness. The coaching staff of Ben, Gabby and Gus are sincerely grateful to have shared this year with the team.