The high school field hockey season got underway last weekend with the Friendship Cup tournament, hosted jointly by Brentwood College and Shawnigan Lake schools.
Shawnigan and Cowichan Secondary squared off in the final of the Premier Division. Tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, the final went to a shootout, in which Cow High prevailed. Oak Bay, Mount Douglas and South Delta rounded out the top bracket of the 15-team tournament.
“The tournament was a great opener to the season,” Shawnigan coach Andi Conroy said. “The weather was fantastic and the spirit was all about good sportsmanship. It is so encouraging to see our girls starting off on this positive note and it is exciting to have such great competition here on the island. The level was high and it was the most exciting school girls final I have watched in a long time. The quality and intensity were of a very high standard from both teams and it can only get better from here. I am excited to watch our girls develop and gain confidence as the season progresses.”
While the Premier Division was played at Shawnigan, the Competitive and Development divisions were hosted at the Cowichan Sportsplex. The Competitive Division was made up mostly of AA schools, including Brentwood, Frances Kelsey, St. Michaels University School, Glenlyon Norfolk School and Lambrick Park Some games were played with seven or eight players a side to accommodate teams that had fewer players available.
“The whole point is that it is still competitive,” Brentwood coach Alanna Martin explained. “We are still keeping results, but it’s just to get people playing.”
SMUS and Kelsey were the top teams in the Competitive bracket.
“There’s nice strength coming from SMUS and Kelsey,” Martin said. “I don’t think we’re far behind. Some more practicing and stick time, and I definitely think we’ll be competitive with them.”
The least experienced teams made up the Development Division, where standings weren’t kept. Shawnigan’s junior A and B teams were joined by entries from Brentwood, SMUS and Southridge.
“It’s a learning thing for them,” Martin noted. “The coaches can coach. It’s a safe environment. It gets games and experience for the girls really quickly.”
Next up for most local teams is the John Ferreira Memorial Tournament on Sept. 29. Brentwood will host the Island AA championships at the Cowichan Sportsplex on Oct. 26 and 27.
