Warriors and Panthers will challenge for bronze on final day in Waterloo
It was the last day of pool play at the 2026 National Bank Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Championship, presented by Farm Mutual Re and final pool placement was on the line. The top two finishers after today’s matches play in tomorrow’s gold medal match. The bottom two finishers play for bronze. The Waterloo and Toronto game was particularly compelling as they were both vying for a spot in the gold medal game in a defacto play-in match to kick off the day.
Toronto outlasts Waterloo in an intense afternoon draw, advances to gold medal match
Going into this one, the implications were clear as crystal. Toronto needed a draw or a win to get through, and for Waterloo, a win would be needed. The first half was a cat and mouse game with both teams working through some of the early nerves and feeling out the game. Toronto held the possession advantage and earned six penalty corners. Waterloo’s stingy defense led by keeper Grace Miller, kept Toronto off the sheet.
The game entered hyperdrive in the third quarter with chances a-plenty. Both keepers were rock solid and kept the game at 0-0. Late in the third quarter, Waterloo got their best chance of the game. After a foray into the Toronto circle, the Warriors earned a PC and subsequently a stroke. Tiffany Binkle stepped up to the spot. The shot caught the tiniest bit of Mary Yang and then hit the post before ricocheting away. It was a huge moment in the game.
After that, Toronto formed their defensive shell and took their chances when they could. Ultimately that saved stroke proved to be the big difference in this one as Waterloo and Toronto ended in a goalless tie. Yang praised the Warriors and said she knows that her team needs to clean a few things up, but ultimately feel in a good place heading into the gold medal match.
“The Warriors are great opponents, we’ve been battling against them all year. Of course we have things to work on leading into the final, but we’ll have a good recovery, we’ll watch some film, we’ll get ready and bring it tomorrow,” Yang said. “We’ve put in a lot of games this season, we’ve been working hard, every lift, every practice leading to this moment. I’m looking forward to going out there and giving it my all and I know the team is too.”
Photos/Yan Huckendubler
UBC takes care of business and will play for gold on Sunday
UPEI knew they were in for a tough one today as the Canada West champions, UBC, were coming off a draw and a win and improving during the tournament so far. With the Toronto and Waterloo draw already in the books from the afternoon, the fate of pool-play was sorted, with UBC and Toronto securing spots in the finals. There wasn’t any shortage of action in this one though, as both teams came out with fire and spirit.
UPEI defended well early, holding the T-Birds off the board for the first 20 minutes of play. Both teams strung together nice passing plays, see-sawing in the second quarter. The Thunderbirds brought the attack even harder and in the 21st minute Mackenna Brown opened the scoring. Then, on UBC’s second penalty corner of the half, Sukhman Hundal blasted a goal past the keeper, making it 2-0 heading into the second half.
The pressure really started to mount as UBC earned corner after corner and put the Panthers under serious duress in the second half. UBC added two second-half markers from Puneet Litt and Sydney Le, completing the victory and finishing pool-play undefeated with two wins and a draw.
PEI captain, Charlotte Thompson has been a steady force on the defensive end all season long. The Panthers have been under constant pressure from their opponents and she has stood out as a top player at the event, confidently taking on anyone. Thompson said she’s been proud of the way her Panthers have improved during the tournament and continue to fight no matter the scoreline.
“We’ve been trying to develop on what we learned last year and the year prior. We’re taking those lessons and trying to bring them into our play here,” she said. “We’re getting used to the level of play here. We’re hoping to go out , give 110 per cent effort, hopefully get a goal or two and have the score on [our side] this time.”
Tomorrow’s matchups are a reset of day one, with UPEI and Waterloo facing off at Noon for bronze in front of the home Waterloo crowd followed by UBC and Toronto playing for gold at 230pm EST. Watch all the action on CBC Gem.
Photos/Yan Huckendubler
