Other than winning a gold medal, there wasn’t much more Sarah Casorso could have asked from her first international hockey experience.
The Kelowna native and UBC Thunderbirds’ captain is back home in B.C. this week after helping Canada to a second-place showing at the Winter Universiade Games in Granada, Spain.
Casorso and her Canadian teammates reached the championship final of the women’s hockey tournament last Thursday before losing 3-0 to Team Russia.
A collection of 20 players from university programs all across the country, the Canadians had just three practises together prior to the start of the Games.
“That was probably the biggest challenge for us was figuring out how to come together in a short time, with players from all different programs and coaching backgrounds,” said Casorso, 22. “But it was really a good experience going through that, and just neat to see us take on that challenge.”
The powerhouse Russians, meanwhile, featured eight Olympians and a wealth of international experience.
“The Russians were a great team, they had speed and size I haven’t seen in women’s hockey,” she added. “We did what we could, so a silver was still pretty nice accomplishment.”
Casorso played in all four tournament games in Granada and, despite feeling under the weather in the final like several of her teammates, she gave what she had for her country throughout the event.
“I think what stands out most is pulling on the Team Canada jersey for the first time, it was an incredible feeling,” she said. “Everything leading up to that, all that went into getting there was overwhelming…a real feeling of pride, like you finally made it.
“Being on the international stage for the first time is something I’ll never forget.”
From a hockey perspective, it marked a new territory for Casorso who is in the process of winding down her final season at the university level.
“Hockey-wise it’s probably my biggest accomplishment,” said Casorso, who hopes to play professionally in Europe next season. “Hopefully there will be more opportunities like it. It was definitely the perfect way to top off this part of my career.”
Away from the rink, Casorso—who was joined by her parents and grandparents on the trip—was also able to experience a little of Spain with her family.
Back in Canada, Casorso has returned to her role as captain of the UBC women’s hockey team, as the Thunderbirds ramp up for the Canada West playoffs.
Next weekend, Feb. 27 and 28, the T’Birds will host the conference semifinals
