Sunday morning picked up right where Saturday left off with staggered games on the two fields at Tamanawis park in Surrey, BC. The women’s division kicked things off with Ontario jumping on the BC Lions early and never looking back. They defeated the Lions 6-0. The BC Rams had their rematch against Ontario in the evening and this time, Ontario got the better of the Rams.
The women’s round robin isn’t yet complete but it has been settled that BC Rams and Ontario will rematch in the finals tomorrow evening.
Izzy Fraser, a member of the BC Rams said she’s looking forward to the rematch and notes that the adjustments are constantly having to be made when you are playing the same team three times.
“Going into the tournament, we knew it would be different. They know our tips and tricks,” Fraser said. “It’s a mental challenge for us for sure. For us, it’s all about keeping our game speed up.”
Fraser, who just finished her first year at UBC, is playing in her first U23 nationals. She said that despite there only being three teams, the competition is great and that it’s fun to matchup with her peers.
“It’s a lot of the girls that we play with and against in university,” she said. “It’s just been a lot of fun to get out and compete.”
In the men’s division, the morning started out with Quebec upsetting the BC Lions to move to 2-2 and punched their ticket to a medal match. Alberta and BC U18 played a tight 3-2 battle in favour of BC. BC Rams took care of business against Ontario and maintained their undefeated record.
After a strong first 20 minutes for Ontario against BC Lions, the Lions came back from a three goal deficit in a thrilling 5-4 win.
The afternoon match between BC Lions and Ontario wound up being effectively a semifinal match. Despite being down late, the BC Lions roared at the end with a pair of late goals to defeat their cross-nation rivals 5-4 and force an all-BC finals. Quebec and Ontario will rematch in the hunt for a bronze medal, leaving BC U18 to take on Alberta in the consolation finals.
With the round robin wrapping up first thing tomorrow, the tournament moves into the medal rounds tomorrow afternoon. The gold medal matches are set for 4pm (men’s) and 6pm (women’s) on Monday July 1.
COACHES OF THE DAY
Rosie Beale
![IMG_3602[1]](https://www.fieldhockey.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_36021.jpg)
Born: Victoria, BC
Playing Career: Played around Victoria and for FHBC. Played 5 years for The University of Victoria, and some with Canada.
Why did you start coaching? Got into coaching through UVIC’s rising stars program, and because it is nice to give back into the community as field hockey was a big part of my life.
Most rewarding part of coaching? Seeing the girls have a really good game and when you can tell they’re enjoying themselves is very rewarding.
Kinder Gill
Playing Career: Started playing in Richmond, BC, before switching clubs to India Club. Made the U17 National team, the U21 National team and the Senior National Team. Ended career “early” at 26 years old after meeting wife and starting his professional career.
How did you get into coaching? Was always coaching the younger guys at India Club, and then stopped. When his kids got older he wanted to start coaching them, but realized that just because he played at a high level – doesn’t mean his kids will want to as well.
Best coaching moments: Coaching with FHBC, and as the FHBC Regional Head Coach. When the kids are younger it is nice when they learn a new skill, such as a reverse hit or upright hit. Where as when the kids get older it is nice to see them start to connect with more of a tactical mindset.
RESULTS
Women’s Results
0 BC Lions vs Ontario 6
0 BC Lions vs BC Rams 7
2 Ontario vs BC Rams 0
Men’s Results
2 Quebec vs BC Lions 0
0 Ontario vs BC Rams 0
2 Alberta vs BC U18 3
5 BC Lions vs Ontario 4
4 Quebec vs BC U18 1
8 BC Rams vs Alberta 1
