News and Announcements

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The St. Michael’s University School senior girls field hockey team capped off a banner season with an exciting first-placed finish finish at the AA BC championships, hosted by SMUS at UVic from November 2-4. This is the first time since the 1990s that the the SMUS senior girls team brought home the provincial title.

In the provincial championship, there were comfortable wins against Keremeos, Southridge and York House in pool play, followed by a hard-fought quarter final win, 2-0, over Windsor with goals from Amanda Adams (Lynx) and Mia Muller (Lynx). This set up a repeat match against York House, who upset Crofton in another quarter-final. The SMUS team decisively beat York House 3-0 in the semifinal with two penalty strokes finished by Eva Cuddihy and an empty net goal for Kendyll Adams. This was sweet revenge against York House who had beaten SMUS the previous year.

The final against Little Flower Academy was a game of two halves with SMUS dominating in the first half, but not finishing many attacks, and LFA coming back strongly in the second half and opening the scoring with a well-taken penalty corner goal. With time almost running out, a breakaway into the LFA end saw Eva Cuddihy score over the goalie with 90 seconds remaining. With the game tied at 1-1 each at the end of regular time, the always intense shootout was the deciding factor. Fortunately for SMUS, the calm finishes by Amanda Adams, Rebecca Stone and Allegra Nelson, plus three saves out of five from SMUS goalie Talia Pike, gave SMUS the 3-2 shootout victory. The large crowd in the stands and people watching the game on the livestream were relieved and excited!

Other notable finishes from local Victoria and South Vancouver Island teams in the 16 team AA BC championship tournament were Glenlyon Norfolk School (8th), Brentwood College (9th) and Shawnigan Lake School (10th).

The SMUS field hockey team has had its most successful season in the school’s history, winning 5 out of 6 available trophies (the 6th was a shootout loss to Crofton in the final of the Bridgman Cup), and showcasing high class field hockey, but also excellent camaraderie and sportsmanship as well. The tour to Germany in August helped create the foundations for the current amazing successful high school season, and the young athletes should be applauded for all their accomplishments this season. Congratulations to SMUS coaches Dave Kerr (Rebels) and Stef Sloboda.

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The University of Victoria field hockey team hosts York University for the 2022 U SPORTS Field Hockey Championship, set for Nov. 4-6 on the UVic Field Hockey Turf. Come cheer on the Vikes and catch Canada’s top women’s hockey right here in Victoria.

Catch the UVic Vikes hosting the York Lions in a best-of-three national championship series on Nov. 4 (4 pm), Nov. 5 (3 pm) and, if needed, Nov. 6 (3pm) at the UVic water-based pitch (Field 1).

Tickets are available at http://govikesgo.com/tickets and the games will be streamed live on CBC Gem or the CBC Sports App and website.

NEWS & NOTES
- The Vikes enter the tournament as the defending U SPORTS national champions, having won the last three national titles.
- UVic is also coming off their fourth-straight Canada West banner, besting UBC 5-1 and 4-0 in the final weekend series, Oct. 22-23, to finish the conference season with a 7-0-1 record.
- Victoria will face OUA champions York in the best-of-three series. The Lions hold a 7-2-1 conference record and 9-2-1 overall record this season.
-The Vikes and Lions last matched up at the U SPORTS championships Nov. 2-3, 2018. Victoria claimed their first McCrae Cup since 2008 with 2-1 and 3-1 wins in Toronto.
- Anna Mollenhauer earned Canada West Player of the Year honours for the second-straight season after scoring eight goals for the Vikes and doubling her 2021 season goal total (4). Mollenhauer was also named U SPORTS Player of the Year and becomes the first player to ever win the prestigious Liz Hoffman award three times.
- Chloe Langkammer and Nora Struchtrup lead the Vikes and all players in Canada West with nine goals on the year and were both recognized as Canada West All-Stars and U SPORTS All-Canadians
- Daya Shields and the Vikes’ defence have posted five shutouts in eight games this season.
- Maeve Connorton, Libby Hogg, Langkammer and Struchtrup garnered Canada West All-Star status this season, while head coach Lynne Beecroft was named the Canada West and U SPORTS coach of the year.

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Vancouver Island was once again well represented at the U SPORTS field hockey championship awards event. University of Victoria defender Anna Mollenhauer (Victoria, BC – Lynx Club, St. Michael’s University School) became the first three-time winner of the Liz Hoffman Award as the U SPORTS Women’s Field Hockey player of the year on Thursday, while Calgary Dinos defender Isabella Green (Duncan, BC – Cowichan FHC, Cowichan High School) was named the winner of the Joyce Slipp Award as U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. Vikes bench boss Lynne Beecroft earned the nod as the Fox 40 U SPORTS Coach of the Year Award and hoisted the Marina Van Der Merwe Trophy in her 39th season.

Vikes forwards Nora Struchtrup (Victoria, BC – Sailors FHC, Oak Bay High School) and Chloe Langkammer (Duncan, BC – Cowichan FHC, Cowichan High School) joined Mollenhauer and Green on the U SPORTS All-Canadian list.

Catch the UVic Vikes hosting the York Lions in a best-of-three national championship series on Nov. 4 (4 pm), Nov. 5 (3 pm) and, if needed, Nov. 6 (3pm) at the UVic water-based pitch (Field 1). Tickets are available at govikesgo.com/tickets and the games will be streamed live on CBC Gem or the CBC Sports App and website.

Read full release: https://usports.ca/en/sports/field-hockey/f/news/2022/11/3971923262/2022-wfh-awards-20221103

MOLLENHAUER WINS THIRD LIZ HOFFMAN AWARD

Anna Mollenhauer earned the title of the top university field hockey player in Canada for the third time in her storied career after winning the award in 2018 and 2021. The fifth-year defender helped guide the Vikes to an unbeaten 7-0-1 record in 2022, recording eight goals and helping the Vikes’ defence to five shutouts. A versatile asset on the field, Mollenhauer was effective at stopping opponents in their circle while creating scoring chances of her own, setting her team up for success.

The Victoria Vike has helped her team to four conference championship titles in her time with the school, in addition to being a three-time All-Canadian and Top 8 Academic All-Canadian. Mollenhauer is also a member of the Field Hockey Canada Senior Women’s National Team.

GREEN WINS JOYCE SLIPP AWARD AS TOP FIRST-YEAR PLAYER

Isabella Green came to the Calgary Dinos hot off a successful individual performance at the U18 FHC National Championship, where she co-captained a Vancouver Island-based BC team. Her tireless work ethic, efficiency in both directions on the pitch and her leadership shown in the summer transitioned flawlessly to her first-year season with the Dinos.

Usually an attacker or midfielder, Green slid into one of the most challenging defensive positions on the pitch, at left defence. Tasked with managing the opponent’s strongest and often fastest strikers who are attacking on their forehand, Green didn’t seem phased. Starting and playing nearly every minute of every game was a testament to Green’s strength and fitness heading into the Canada West season, and her fearless, gritty nature made her a key cog to the Dinos’ defence.

Green rivalled with the best, tackling top players, many of who have been through the recent Canadian Junior World Cup and NextGEN cycles with full confidence. A demeanour on the pitch that carried maturity and experience is something any coach would value for a rookie stepping into the backline, and that was what Green delivered.

BEECROFT WINS FOX 40 U SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

For the second time in an illustrious 39-year career, Victoria Vikes bench boss Lynne Beecroft has been named the 2022 recipient of the Marina van der Merwe Award, emblematic of the Fox 40 U SPORTS Coach of the Year.

Beecroft has led the Victoria Vikes to four-straight unbeaten Canada West seasons and three U SPORTS titles. In her time with UVic, Beecroft has guided the Vikes to 35 appearances at the U SPORTS national championships, hoisting 14 McCrae Cups. Her Vikes host the York Lions this weekend in the best-of-three U SPORTS championship series.

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Former Canadian men’s national team head coach Paul Bundy will be in Victoria in parallel with the U SPORTS Women’s Field Hockey Championships to host two clinics – one for athletes and one for coaches. Bundy has over 20 years of experience as a full-time professional coach including over 250 games on the international scene. Bundy qualified the Canadian men’s program for two-consecutive Olympic Games (2016, 2020) and has led the Red Caribou in the 2018 World Cup, three Commonwealth Games, three Pan American Cups, three Pan American Games and he has also coached in three Junior World Cups.

All details: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xjb51c948xsosdz/Field%20Hockey%20Master%20Classes_Victoria%20.pdf?dl=0

Purpose
Paul will share his level of Canadian field hockey expertise with athletes and coaches. Sessions include modern techniques and methods to educate and mentor aspiring performance athletes and coaches.

There is a session for athletes (aged 14-21) and coaches (club level, high school level or high performance coaches). Video analysis, guest high performance coaches, review of the first U SPORTS Championship game and more! Get better prepared as an athlete or fill your toolbox as a coach!

Dates
Athlete seminars: Nov. 4 (6-7:15pm), Nov. 5 (10-11:15am)
Coach Seminars: Nov. 4 (7:30-8:45pm), Nov. 5 (11:30-12:45pm)

Location
McKinnon Building (Room 150) – University of Victoria

Cost
$45.99 + GST

ATHLETES register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-field-hockey-tactical-masterclass-series-for-athletes-tickets-449658830667?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

COACHES register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-field-hockey-tactical-masterclass-series-for-coaches-tickets-454916997987?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

For questions: paulbundy33@gmail.com

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(source: canadawest.org)

For the third time in her Canada West career, Victoria’s Anna Mollenhauer has been named the conference’s Field Hockey Player of the Year. Mollenhauer is just one of many who call Vancouver Island home that were highlighted in Canada West awards this weekend. University of Calgary Dino Izzy Green, from Cowichan, was named Rookie of the Year and Vikes bench boss Lynne Beecroft was named Coach of the Year. Six of the 11 conference all-stars were from Vancouver Island including Green, and Vikes players Mollenhauer, Maeve Connorton (Victoria), Libby Hogg (Victoria), Chloe Langkammer (Duncan) and Nora Struchtrup (Victoria).

This conference award winners were presented after the Victoria Vikes secured their fourth straight conference title (23rd overall). They will now move on to face the OUA Champion in a best-of-three series for the 2022 U SPORTS title on Nov. 3-7 in Victoria. The Vikes will host as the Canada West champion.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Anna Mollenhauer

Defender Fifth-year Victoria, B.C. Education

Anna Mollenhauer, a duel threat, has loomed larger than life on the field this year. The fifth-year defender helped guide the Vikes to an unbeaten 7-0-1 record in 2022, recording eight goals and helping the Vikes’ defence to five shutouts. A versatile asset on the field, Mollenhauer was effective at stopping opponents in their circle while creating scoring chances of her own, setting her team up for success.

The Victoria Vike also won the award in 2018 and 2021, and has helped guide her team to four conference championship titles in her time with the school. In addition, the Victoria, B.C. native was selected as the 2021 U SPORTS Player of the Year, 2019 U SPORTS national championship MVP and is a three-time All-Canadian and Top 8 Academic All-Canadian.

Anna continues to showcase her international experience, composure and skills for the Vikes as we go for a fourth-straight U SPORTS National title. As a defender Anna is an outstanding distributor and leader from the back but give her an inch and she will take a mile. Not afraid to go on attack and with no shortage of skills to get her there, Anna has scored 8 regular season goals (field and penalty corner goals) and helped the Vikes go undefeated this season. Anna is all a co-captain and a humble, considerate and caring team member and leader.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Isabella Green

Defender First-year Duncan, B.C. Arts

Green came to the Calgary Dinos hot off a successful individual performance at the U18 FHC National Championship where she co-captained a Vancouver Island-based BC team. Her tireless work ethic, efficiency in both directions on the pitch and her leadership shown in the summer transitioned flawlessly to her first-year season with the Dinos.

Usually an attacker or midfielder, Green slid in to one of the most challenging defensive positions on the pitch, at left defence. Tasked with managing opponent’s strongest and often fastest strikers who are attacking on their forehand, Green didn’t seem phased. Starting and playing nearly every minute of every game was a testament to Green’s strength and fitness heading in to the Canada West season and her fearless, gritty nature made her a key cog to the Dinos defence.

Green rivalled with the best, tackling top players, many who have been through the recent Canadian Junior World Cup and NextGEN cycles, with full confidence. A demeanour on the pitch that carried maturity and experience is something any coach would value for a rookie stepping in to the backline and that was what Green delivered.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Lynne Beecroft

39th season
Beecroft has been named the Canada West Coach of the Year for the sixth time in her career (1990, 1994, 2002, 2014, 2015, 2022). Beecroft has led the Victoria Vikes to three straight unbeaten seasons and four straight Canada West and U SPORTS titles.

In her time with UVic, Beecroft has guided the Vikes to 34 appearances at the U SPORTS national championships, hoisting 14 McCrae Cups. Beecroft’s teams have also captured 16 Canada West Championships. It is only fitting that in her 39th season as head coach of the Vikes Lynne Beecroft or “Buzz” as we call her would win Coach of the Year. Her creative and compassionate approach to bringing the team together is no doubt the reason why women’s field hockey boasts the most number of Canadian national titles among all @uvicvikes sports. Another undefeated season, a potential fourth-straight and 15th overall U SPORTS title (all under Buzz’s reign) and helping hoist the program’s 21st Canada West title are the team accolades that likely win her this award but to the team and alumni, it is the details that those outside the program don’t see that really make her worthy of this accolade. From team themes, to creative gifts, to her heart and kindness to keep the team active and contributing members of the community – Buzz is one of a kind.

2022 ALL-STARS
D / Kaileigh Chow / UBC / 5 / Vancouver, BC / Science
M / Maeve Connorton / VIC / 1 / Victoria, BC / Social Sciences
M / Izzy Fraser / UBC / 4 / Vancouver, BC / Arts
M / Kenzie Girgis / UBC / 1 / Ottawa, ON / Applied Science
D / Isabella Green / CGY / 1 / Duncan, BC / Arts
D / Libby Hogg / Victoria / 2 / Victoria, BC / Social Sciences
F/M / Chloe Langkammer / Victoria / 2 / Duncan, BC / Education
D / Anna Mollenhauer / Victoria / 4 / Victoria, BC / Education
G / Hannah Rumble / UBC / 3 / Vancouver, BC / Arts
F / Mikayla Stelling / UBC / 2 / Vancouver, BC / Kinesiology
F / Nora Struchtrup / Victoria / 2 / Victoria, BC / Science

Read more:
https://canadawest.org/news/2022/10/23/field-hockey-fh-mollenhauer-headlines-major-award-winners.aspx