The final day of the U18 National Championships went off with a bang as all 3 matches provided some spectacular hockey for the spectators. As teams were vying for final placements, everyone was leaving everything on the field for their provinces.
The first match of the day featured Ontario White and Alberta in the final consolation match. In the 2nd minute Ontario White’s Anna Costanzo tipped in a hard cross to open the scoring. Bria Bentley was able to equalize for Alberta in the 18th minute as she smashed home a penalty corner hit past the goals left hand side. The game stayed locked at 1-1 until the 52nd minute when Jocelyn Rough was able to finish off a nice passing sequence to give Ontario White a 2-1 lead. Moments later Costanzo got her second goal of the match to make it 3-1. Despites some furious pressure from Alberta, Ontario White was able to hold on for a 3-1 victory to take 5th place, leaving Alberta in 6th.
The second match of the day brought together BC White and BC Yellow to decide the bronze medal winner. With a well worked penalty corner, Audrey Sawers was able to give BC White a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. With both teams playing strong defense, the match stayed locked at 1-0 until the 51st minute when Tessa Johnston was able to bang home a loose ball to make it 2-0 in favor of BC White. The score remained 2-0 until the final whistle giving BC White the Bronze medal.
The final game of the day was the gold medal match between BC Blue and Ontario Red. With both teams coming our flying, the game had end-to-end action as both teams pushed for the opening goal. Leina Dueck was able to open the scoring for BC Blue in the 37th minute as she finished off a goal mouth scramble. As Ontario Red pushed forward for a 2nd half equalizer, BC Blue goalkeeper Robin Fleming made many great saves to keep her team in the lead. In the 68th minute a shot on target hit a body on the goal line and BC Blue was awarded a penalty stroke. Anna Mollenhauer stepped up and converted to give BC Blue a 2-0 lead. Despite a last minute surge from Ontario Red, BC Blue was able to hold them off and win the gold.
A big thank you goes out to Field Hockey Ontario as they were able to put on a fantastic event in Brampton, Ontario.
2016 U18 National Championship Final Standings
- BC Blue
- Ontario Red
- BC White
- BC Yellow
- Ontario White
- Alberta
- PEI
-
- Bronze Medal – BC White
-
- Silver Medal – Ontario Red
-
- Gold Medal Champions – BC Blue
