Angels Grab Important Win
Our Senior Field Hockey team faced one of the biggest single-season personnel changes ever this year, with 14 players not returning (either to graduation or other elite sports). What's emerged is a resilient group who have shown an early commitment to playing as a team. While the regular season opener was a closely contested 2-1 loss to York House, our Angels responded with a critical 4-2 win over Crofton last night.
After some really lovely hockey in Oliver this past weekend, it looked like we'd lost our jam a bit in the first quarter. A bit disjointed and lacking some of the determination that created opportunities on the weekend, Crofton had the edge in the first quarter. A couple great saves by Kaelen Uy '25 kept Crofton at bay, as did some stout defending by Charlotte McKee '25, Bea Williscroft '26 and Claire Cheng '26.
The quarter time offered us a chance to regroup and the second quarter was only a marginal improvement. Christina Do '24, Gabby Collingwood '24 and Abby Hui '26 all put in good miles on wide side, as we started to find some width to our hockey. Still, we weren't breaking through and Crofton was giving us fits. Then, with only about a minute left in the half, Amy Stelling '26 showed impressive poise and awareness, taking advantage of a quick free hit and good position to wire a ball into the D. The ball came off the Crofton keeper, right to Sienna Fabbro '25, who calmly slotted it home. The whistle quickly blew for half time and we found ourselves up 1-0, against the run of play.
As the game wore on, the team seemed to find its groove. Amy, Claire and Shannon Stelling '24 held the middle of the pitch with more authority. Shannon's scoop gave us a different option to break the Crofton press. It resulted in attack, which inevitably meant short corners. While our corner unit isn't yet what it was last year, it can still be lethal. So after Crofton drew the score even, Shannon responded with a well placed shot that Claire was tenacious on re-directing... and we found ourselves 2-1 for the better.
The final quarter was a bit of an adventure. We allowed Crofton to claw their way back in and they quickly tied the game 2-2. Still, our forwards were really finding space and we were getting the ball wide effectively for the first time in the game. Aynslie Burns '25, in particular, found another gear as she worked to keep herself open and caused fits among the Crofton defenders. As we finally started to move the ball like we had on the weekend, the scoring chances came. A series of short corners led to another Shannon opportunity on the short corner, which she ripped to the corner to put us up 3-2. With the game now in the balance, it became end to end. Kaelen was called upon to make a series of good saves, though again our defenders made sure there were no rebounds. With only a couple of minutes left in the game and the Crofton keeper pulled, we took advantage of a quick free hit. Shannon collected the ball and slipped a lovely pass to Jessica Bryde '25, who had worked hard to be in perfect position to receive the ball. As Jess walked the ball into the net to put us up 4-2, there was a sense we'd finally given ourselves the chance to take a breath.
A hard fought and very even game where we came out on top. Congratulations to the team on a result that will matter in our quest to get to Provincials.
Back
The quarter time offered us a chance to regroup and the second quarter was only a marginal improvement. Christina Do '24, Gabby Collingwood '24 and Abby Hui '26 all put in good miles on wide side, as we started to find some width to our hockey. Still, we weren't breaking through and Crofton was giving us fits. Then, with only about a minute left in the half, Amy Stelling '26 showed impressive poise and awareness, taking advantage of a quick free hit and good position to wire a ball into the D. The ball came off the Crofton keeper, right to Sienna Fabbro '25, who calmly slotted it home. The whistle quickly blew for half time and we found ourselves up 1-0, against the run of play.
As the game wore on, the team seemed to find its groove. Amy, Claire and Shannon Stelling '24 held the middle of the pitch with more authority. Shannon's scoop gave us a different option to break the Crofton press. It resulted in attack, which inevitably meant short corners. While our corner unit isn't yet what it was last year, it can still be lethal. So after Crofton drew the score even, Shannon responded with a well placed shot that Claire was tenacious on re-directing... and we found ourselves 2-1 for the better.
The final quarter was a bit of an adventure. We allowed Crofton to claw their way back in and they quickly tied the game 2-2. Still, our forwards were really finding space and we were getting the ball wide effectively for the first time in the game. Aynslie Burns '25, in particular, found another gear as she worked to keep herself open and caused fits among the Crofton defenders. As we finally started to move the ball like we had on the weekend, the scoring chances came. A series of short corners led to another Shannon opportunity on the short corner, which she ripped to the corner to put us up 3-2. With the game now in the balance, it became end to end. Kaelen was called upon to make a series of good saves, though again our defenders made sure there were no rebounds. With only a couple of minutes left in the game and the Crofton keeper pulled, we took advantage of a quick free hit. Shannon collected the ball and slipped a lovely pass to Jessica Bryde '25, who had worked hard to be in perfect position to receive the ball. As Jess walked the ball into the net to put us up 4-2, there was a sense we'd finally given ourselves the chance to take a breath.
A hard fought and very even game where we came out on top. Congratulations to the team on a result that will matter in our quest to get to Provincials.
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4195 Alexandra Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 4C6
Tel: 604-738-9016
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Tel: 604-738-9016
Support LFA | Contact Us | School Calendar
