FH: Drive for five complete as Victoria crowned 2023 U SPORTS Field Hockey Champions

TORONTO - A pair of early goals was all Victoria needed as they cruised to a 3-0 win over top-ranked Toronto in the third and final game of the 2023 U SPORTS Field Hockey Championship on Sunday afternoon at the Back Campus Fields in Toronto. The victory marks the fifth consecutive U SPORTS title for the Vikes, who came into the series as the No. 2-ranked team in the country. The national championship is the 16th overall for the Vikes, only three behind UBC.

"We talked today in our team meeting before the game about taking care of the little things and I think our players went out there and they did that quite early," said Vikes field hockey head coach Krista Thompson following the match. "We never really talked about winning. We always talk about the process and the details, and in order to have the end result like we did today you have to take care of all those little things. I would say they saved their best game for this last game and I am incredibly proud of this young group of athletes."

Action began with the visitors applying immediate pressure, resulting in the two early first-quarter goals. Tallying the first marker for the Vikes was first-year forward Amanda Adams, who scored less than two minutes into the game. Just over 60 seconds later, second-year defender Julia Boraston finished off a penalty corner opportunity with a big swing to double the Vikes lead.

Entering the second quarter, Toronto showed new urgency as they mounted two worthwhile breakouts courtesy of a steal from third-year forward Mia Zurkovic and a strong run from second-year forward Elizabeth Assimes. However, the Vikes defence prevented any shots on goal as they continued to stifle the Blues attacks once they broke in close to the Victoria circle.

Meanwhile, Victoria added to their lead shortly before the halftime break as third-year forward Madeline Mittelsteadt made a run down the left side of the field before sending a cross into the circle which first-year forward Josie Dunham was able to chip in for her second goal of the series.

The Blues, looking to respond, were provided with three penalty corner chances in the third quarter and several more in the fourth. Working to find the stick of 2023 U SPORTS All-Canadian Rebecca Carvalho on the attempts, Toronto was unable to slide the ball past the Vikes, who established a strong defensive shell. The Vikes second half defence was captained by their own 2023 U SPORTS All-Canadian in third-year defender Libby Hogg, who guided Victoria in their championship shutout effort.

At the conclusion of the game Boraston was named Vikes player of the game, while Harnoor Malhi earned the honours for Toronto. Additionally, Victoria's Anni Kleinschmidt received the R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award for outstanding sportsmanship. Finally, Hogg was honoured as the Championship MVP following incredible outings in all three games of the national championship series.

"I am very honoured and grateful to have received the (MVP) award," said Hogg during the championship celebrations. "I think from Day 1 we were a younger squad and we've just been building and building all season, so to keep growing even this weekend and come out on top is just awesome."

Victoria closes out their season with a 6-1-4 overall record (4-1-3 CW), while Toronto ends at 11-3-1 (8-2 OUA).

Nike Team Players of the Game

Game 3: Harnoor Malhi (Toronto), Julia Boraston (Victoria)

Championship Award Winners

R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award: Anni Kleinschmidt (Victoria)

Championship MVP: Libby Hogg (Victoria)

Game MVPs

Game 1: Rebecca Carvalho (Toronto), Libby Hogg (Victoria)

Game 2: Deepi Gill (Toronto), Chloe Langkammer (Victoria)

Game 3: Harnoor Malhi (Toronto), Julia Boraston (Victoria)

Summary:

Victoria 3 Toronto 0

First period

1. VIC: Amanda Adams 1 (unassisted), 2^nd minute (fg)
2. VIC: Julia Boraston 1 (Chloe Langkammer), 3^rd minute (pc)

Second period

3. VIC: Josie Dunham 2 (Madeline Mittelsteadt), 27^th minute (fg)

Third Period

No scoring.

Fourth Period

No scoring

Shots by: 
Victoria 2 1 0 0 – 3
Toronto 0 1 0 2 – 3

Goal (saves) – Victoria: Chace (W, 2-0-1) (1); Toronto : Gill (L, 0-2-1) (0).
Penalty corners – Victoria 2, Toronto 10.
Fouls – Victoria 41, Toronto 24.

Cards –Skeans VIC (green) 14^th minute; Malhi VIC (green) 16^th minute; D'Silva VIC (yellow) 58^th minute, Dunham VIC (yellow) 60^th minute.

2023 U SPORTS Field Hockey Championship
all games played at Toronto
(Victoria wins series 2 games to 1)

Game 1, Friday, Nov. 3: Toronto 1 Victoria 1 (Toronto wins shootout 3-2)

Game 2, Saturday, Nov. 4: Victoria 1 Toronto 0

Game 3, Sunday, Nov. 5: Victoria 3 Toronto 0