York Lions win first ever U SPORTS Championship
Two amazing matchups were on tap for Sunday in Charlottetown. A rematch of the Atlantic division championship game and a rematch of last year’s gold medal game. The story writes itself. A chance to continue the dynasty, a chance for redemption, a chance at a home-soil medal. Everything was on the table when the first ball was pushed back on Sunday afternoon at the 2025 Field Hockey Canada University Championship.
BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
Dalhousie and UPEI played to a thrilling 1-1 draw on Thursday on the opening day of the event. Dalhousie carried much of the play in that match and had the lead late, when UPEI’s Kayla Batchilder tied the game. Today’s match had lots of the same back and forth action as both teams tried to get that ever-important first goal.
It had the feeling of a game that was spiraling towards a shoot-out. Both teams had penalty stroke opportunities. Both teams had quality grade A scoring chances in the second half but no one could break the deadlock. In the dwindling minutes, the all-Canadian and Atlantic MVP Batchilder did what she’s been doing all year; find the net. Not once, but twice. Batchilder scored back-to-back goals firing two shots just inside the near side post.
17 of the UPEI players are from the home-province, so when the crowd counted down the final seconds, the UPEI Panthers could finally celebrate a bronze medal on home soil with their friends and family.
Sanne Meijer vanDerloensloot, Molly Doyle and Abby Henn continued to shine for Dalhousie. On the UPEI side, Bathcilder led the way, and GK Bria Matthews, along side Livi Lawlor, Miah Lawlor, Carly Acorn and Katie-Grace Noye had stellar performances all weekend long. It was truly a team effort across the board for UPEI as they secure a U SPORTS bronze medal.
GOLD MEDAL MATCH
A year ago, the York Lions and the UVic Vikes played on York University campus in the U SPORTS gold medal match. The Vikes grabbed the lead early and held on until the bitter end securing the win and their sixth straight national title. On Thursday in Charlottetown, the two teams battled to a nil-nil draw. Over the previous 120 minutes of hockey, one goal separates these two teams. We knew it was going to be a nail-biter till the very end.
The traveling fans of these two programs had to wait almost another full 60 before they got their catharsis. It came in the way of a Juliet Redelaar goal in the 58th minute of the game. It seems fitting that Gates McAllister fired the ball into the circle, Elise Piper one-touched it over to Redelaar for the finishing goal. All three of those players have been standouts all weekend long in Charlottetown.
The goal sent a shock-wave around the facility. For the better part of the decade, UVic and UBC almost felt inevitable when it came to the national tournament. York had no time for that narrative and stopped the western juggernaut in their path. The game itself was back and forth with loads of chances at both ends. Both goalkeepers were superb in this one. Again one goal is all the difference in the world.
Captain Abby Thompson was first to touch the McCrae Cup before celebrating with her team. The York Lions have officially won their first ever U SPORTS title and this team will go down in history.
UVic and York battle in the gold medal match. Photos/Yan Huckendubler
