Canada: University Championship Day Three Recap

Warriors Pick Up First Win While Vikes Stay Unbeaten

The final day of round robin the U SPORTS Invitational Championships was played Saturday afternoon as all four teams were in action in their final preliminary game before championship Sunday. 

UVIC vs York

Game 1 featured a matchup between the two unbeaten teams in the tournament as both the York Lions and UVIC Vikes would come into this game at 2-0.  

Right from the start the Vikes got off on the front foot as they were able to pile up a number of short corners in the first few minutes of the game. As the pressure ramped up it was only a matter of time before they would convert. It ended up coming midway through the quarter as a large net front presence from the Vikes saw the ball fall to Madeline Mittelsteadt on the left side who was able to redirect the ball past goalkeeper Jade Lew and into the net giving the Vikes a 1-0 lead.  

 UVIC faces off against York in game 1 on Saturday Photos/Yan Huckendubler

In the second it was more of the same as early into the second quarter a penalty corner was awarded to the Vikes whose routine was executed to perfection. The goal this time was scored by Anni Kleinschmidt who captured her tournament leading third goal of the weekend to give the Vikes a 2-0 advantage going into half. 

The second half featured just one goal which came early in the third quarter. Once again it was UVIC that would find the back of the net, this time by way of an outstanding tip from the stick of Amanda Adams who would put the game to bed as the Vikes would come away with the 3-0 victory in game 1 of day 3.  

Waterloo vs UPEI

The second game of the day would be a prelim to the bronze medal game tomorrow as the UPEI Panthers faced the Waterloo Warriors. 

With both teams looking to pick up their first win of the championship the first goal was always going to be important. It was Waterloo who got it and it did not take them too long to do it either. Just 5 into the game it was Isabella Beck putting the OUA champs in front allowing them to build some early momentum. 

The pressure from the Warriors in the first half was strong but after the early first goal the Panthers managed to batten down the hatches and were able to hold the game at 1-0 for the remainder of the half. 

In the second half the Panthers came out of the break flying. The third quarter was by far their best and midway through it they would get their best chance of the game. An infraction committed by a scrambling Waterloo defense led to a UPEI penalty stroke with All-Canadian Livi Lawlor stepping up to take the all-important shot. The shot was fired hard toward the top left corner of the net but Warriors goalkeeper Grace Miller sprawled out to make an outstanding save keeping it 1-0. 

Waterloo and UPEI going head to head in game 2 on Saturday afternoon Photos/Yan Huckendubler

From there the tides completely shifted. With the momentum back on their side Waterloo’s Sierra Blackburn would score twice in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach with the Warriors coming away with the 3-0 win. 

With the round robin complete we turn towards our medal games tomorrow. First the bronze medal match at 10:30am sees the UPEI Panthers play the Waterloo Warriors as they battle for the second time in as many days. The gold medal match at 1pm will also see two teams that faced each other Saturday with the UVIC Vikes taking on the host York Lions.  

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TOURNAMENT

Click on our tournament event page to follow results and see game scores as well as tournament photo galleries. Live stream the matches on the Field Hockey Canada Youtube Channel as well as the CBC Youtube Channel. Links will be made live on Thursday.

STREAM THE TOURNAMENT MATCHES HERE

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE