CIS women's field hockey Sunday roundup: UBC T-Birds claim 10th consecutive Canada West title

Source: Toronto Sports Info

KINGSTON, Ont. - The Varsity Blues field hockey team edged the Guelph Gryphons 4-3 to cap off a perfect 12-0 regular season on Sunday, October 21 in Kingston, Ont.
 
The Blues earn a bye into the OUA semifinals next Saturday, October 27 in Waterloo, Ont.
 
In a classic back-and-forth battle, the Blues came out on top as Alex Thicke notched the game-winner in the 67th minute.
 
After Guelph's Erin Houle opened the scoring in the ninth minute, the Blues went ahead 2-1 with goals from Ally Evanyshyn and Amanda Woodcroft in the 14th and 29th minutes, respectively. Gryphons Allison Chute scored in the 34th minute and the game remained tied at 2-2 at the half.
 
Toronto vetearn Kaelan Watson put the Blues up with a goal off a penalty stroke in the 44th minute; however, Chute tallied her second of the game to even the score once again. Thick scored the game-winner off a corner in the 67th minute. 
 
The University of Toronto is the proud host of the 2012 CIS field hockey championship, November 1-4, at Varsity Centre.

Source: UBC Sports Info

VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds celebrated their 10th straight Canada West title on Sunday with a 6-0 win over the Victoria Vikes, capping off a perfect 8-0 regular season.

After some shaky stretches during Saturday's match, coach Hash Kanjee was looking for his side to close out the regular season with the kind of effort they are capable of, and he got exactly what he was looking for.

UBC got two goals from Canada West Rookie of the Year Hannah Haughn, two from All-Star Natalie Sourisseau, and one from Canada West Player of the Year Kate Gillis to help push them to victory. Cassie Tayler also scored for the home side.

“I thought their skills were much better today and they handled pressure better,” said Kanjee. “I think it was a mindset sort of thing. We were a little upset about how we played yesterday but we just tweaked our system a little bit and it all came together really well.”

Gillis scored twice on Saturday and added one more Sunday to finish the year with a league-leading seven goals. The third-year Boston College transfer was named the conference's Player of the Year and nominee for the national award after the match.

“The thing that she does for us is lead on and off the field,” Kanjee said of Gillis. “She's always ready to play and I think the younger players see that. And of course she has a great skill set and can really put the ball in the back of the net.”

Haughn finished with six goals in her rookie campaign, and her playmaking abilities have been just as impressive as her scoring touch for the 'Birds this year.

“She's a very talented young lady. I first saw her three years ago and she keeps getting better and better,” Kanjee said of Haughn, a Handsworth Secondary product. “She has amazing skills and vision. Her passing skills are really great and she's only first year. This kid is just going to keep getting better.”

Sourisseau's two goals put her at a total of four for the year, earning her a Canada West All-Star nod. She joins Gillis, Haughn, Poonam Sandhu and team captain Miranda Mann as UBC's 2012 All Stars.

Bea Francisco stood tall in net to earn her league-best third shutout of the season.

The T-Birds are headed back east to defend their national title this year. They have a week off to regroup before heading to the University of Toronto for the CIS tournament running November 1-4, along with Victoria, Toronto and two other OUA teams to be named.