The Martlet

The 2008 UVic women’s field hockey team is hoping some home cooking will allow them to become CIS champions — a title they haven’t held since 2002.

Last year the team was four minutes away from advancing to the final game against the host (and eventual champion) University of Toronto before being eliminated by the Guelph Gryphons. The Vikes were forced to settle for the bronze, beating arch rival UBC in the consolation final.

This year the squad is set to host the CIS nationals from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30. Vikes’ coach Lynne Beecroft says her team is feeling confident heading into the season.

“The 14 returning kids are quite excited,” Beecroft said. “They were so close to winning it last year.”

They already have one hurdle out of the way, as the host team automatically gets a berth in the nationals tournament.

“That’s another stress we don’t need to worry about,” Beecroft said, adding that she expects a large and supportive crowd.

The expectations are even higher after the women started their season with a sweep of three Division 1 NCAA teams in California.

The wins, coupled with their spot in the nationals already booked, threatened to allow complacency to set in. But a tough win to start their Canada West season prevented that from happening.

“It was a real eye-opener in game one against Calgary,” Beecroft said.

Leading the team will be star mid-fielder Ali Lee. The three-time All-Canadian, 2005 CIS Player of the Year, and reigning nationals tournament MVP, is entering her final year of eligibility. But despite her strong resume, she has yet to be part of a championship Vikes squad.

“I’ve never wanted to win it all for one player; we win for the whole team,” said Beecroft. “But this could be like Ray Bourque winning the Stanley Cup in Colorado where all the players rally around her.”

Playing the part of Patrick Roy in net will be Kaitlyn Williams. Williams was named Rookie of the Year for 2007 and named second-team All-Canadian. She spent the summer training with the national squad, and Beecroft believes she will be even better this season.

“She wants to perform well and make the national team at some point in her career,” Beecroft said. “As a goalie, she’s fearless.”

At the other end, the Vikes will rely on Canada West lead goal scorer Natalie Wise. She led Canada West in goal scoring last season, and has been named for the national team.

“She’s the hardest working and most physically fit player on the team,” Beecroft said. “She was unfortunate to not score a number of goals against Calgary [during their opening weekend games].”

The veterans are joined by two rookies; Chelsea Rabey an alumnus of the Rising Star program, and Dani Hennig who has already cracked the starting line-up.

The Vikes squad will have some tough opposition in their quest to be crowned champs on their home turf. Arch-rivals UBC will be extra hungry in their pursuit of the national title. Despite winning last season’s Canada West division, the Thunderbirds failed to reach the CIS podium for the first time in seven years. Beecroft thinks they will be the Vikes’ toughest opposition, with their strong veteran squad and recently signed three new rookies. When it comes to experience, Beecroft believes you either have it or you don’t.

The CIS national championship tournament will be held at UVic’s Field Hockey Pitch from Oct. 30-Nov. 1.