The senior field hockey team defeated Shawnigan Lake School (SLS) 2-0 yesterday to win their third straight BC AA Field Hockey Championship. The last time any school completed a three-peat was way back in 97-99, when Collingwood was also the dominant school in AA field hockey.
The two semi-final matches were probably the matches of the day as opposed to the final. The Cavs narrowly defeated York House 2-1 and it took every ounce of energy to do so. Kaiden Stanley opened the scoring for Collingwood on a terrific sweep. When Bronwyn Bird scored on an outstanding individual effort right before halftime, it seemed the Cavs were on their way to a solid victory over the plucky Yorkies.
However, York House were far from done and when they scored seven minutes into the second half and it was game on. There were a few interesting referee interpretations along the way but the Cavs kept their composure and despite some scary moments, they hung on for victory.
Meanwhile, SLS was involved in their own barnburner. Down 1-0 with two minutes to go, they tied the game against Little Flower Academy and then advanced to the final by winning the shootout.
Perhaps, this emotional win took a lot out of the Stags as the final turned out to be rather anticlimactic after the tense semi-finals. Collingwood was dominant throughout the game. The Cavs took a 1-0 lead 14-minutes in when McKinley Kennedy swept a rebound into the net. The goal came off a short-corner. Kaiden's hard shot was stopped, but Bronwyn pushed the ball back towards the net and McKinley was there to knock it in.
The Cavs went into halftime up 1-0 and looked firmly in control. Nine minutes into the second- half, McKinley struck again as she deflected another short-corner shot from Bronwyn into the net. It was a terrific touch.
SLS was never able to amount a sustained attack and in the end, it was a very convincing victory for the Cavs.
A huge congratulations to the team and coaches Ashleigh Gold, Catherine Underwood and Sara Bruner. The Collingwood coaching staff is truly the best in the province. And another big thank you to Athletic Therapist Gavin Leung who has worked long hours to keep the team healthy and on the field.
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2019-20 BC Champions
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Jamie Borthwick, Mo Kelly, Bronwyn Bird and Gabbi Villamil get ready to defend a York House short-corner in the tense semi-final. (Photo By Chris Wilson)
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Jacqueline 'Jake' Webb goes flying after the York House goalie takes her out in the semi-final. (Photo By Chris Wilson)
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McKinley Kennedy is denied on a short-corner by a combination of the SLS defender and keeper. (Photo By Chris Wilson)
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McKinley #11 celebrates her first goal of the final with Kaiden Stanley and Maisie Hastings. (Photo By Chris Wilson)
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Jamie and Mo celebrate the gold medal. (Photo By Chris Wilson)
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Mo is mobbed by her teammates after the final whistle. (Photo By Chris Wilson)
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The joy of winning a third straight BC AA Championship. (Photo By Chris Wilson)
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Collingwood's incredible group of grads - L to R - Coach Sara Bruner, Maddie Augustus, McKinley Kennedy, Gabbi Villamil, Bronwyn Bird, Devon Litherland, Lilah Sawers, Maisie Hastings, Jamie Borthwick, Kaiden Stanley, Stephanie Gillies, Coach Catherine Underwood and Coach Ashleigh Gold
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'The Dream Team' of high school field hockey coaches - Sara Bruner, Catherine Underwood, Ashleigh Gold.