Angels Take Silver in Best Ever Bridgman Result

The journey to the Bridgman semi finals is never easy. Teams are playing their best by mid October and you need a couple bounces and a little luck to go with hard work and talent. Our quarter final draw put LFA up against Seycove, who are an excellent team--the team that beat us in the AA Provincial Championship Final last fall. In a back and forth game, LFA had some clinical finish. On a last moment drawn-up short corner, Amy set some wonderful deception to slip a pass to Sienna F who again slipped it to Eva. A great first touch and the goal was ripped home. Eva would later thread an incredible pass through the Seycove defenders to Sienna G, who (as always) had put in the hard work to be in the right place--she one timed a beauty into the net for the 2-0 lead. Tenacious short corner defense from Bea, AnnYee, Charlotte, Sofia and Claire... and even Amy... along with Kaelen's endlessly superb goaltending delivered the defending needed to get LFA to the semis.

The win over Seycove cast the die for another round of LFA vs. Collingwood in a semi final of a major tournament. After last year's upset victory for LFA in the semis of the Provincial Championships, Collingwood will have sought to exact some revenge--and they came out flying. Talented and motivated, the pressure was on LFA. Kaelen was sensational. Bea was a particular force in defending. It took a quarter for the team to adapt to a whole new pace of hockey. Down a goal, the midfield did exceptional work to start to generate opportunities. Michaela, Emma and Abby all were able to start to find openings as Claire, Amy and Eva held the middle of the pitch against fierce Collingwood pressure. Our forwards did extraordinary running to give the midfield outlets... all of which led to D entries. With entries, came short corners... and, as ever, our short corners are so good. A great out from Amy to Claire allowed for her to rip a hit which was well blocked by the Collingwood lead runner. Claire pounced on the rebound and let off a good flick, which was well saved, though Emma was all over the rebound and slipped a lovely back-hand home. The game played out to a 1-1 draw and it was back to a shoot out. With one of the best keepers in high school hockey, LFA went in confident. Goals by Amy and Claire and four saves by Kaelen gave LFA the astounding win.

In the final, LFA found themselves against the favourite to win the AAA BC Championships. A team stacked with talent and well organized, LFA knew they were in for a match. If Collingwood was quick, we simply weren't ready for the speed of Handsworth play. They were all over us through five minutes and quickly up 1-0. We limped our way through the first quarter, barely able to string together passes. With a positive reset at quarter time and a new familiarity with the pace of the hockey, LFA started to get their handle on the game. Whilst Handsworth maintained the edge, LFA leaned into their counter attack. Our confidence growing, the press we employed started to offer turn overs. Addie's speed and anticipation seemed to draw the ball to her and she was able to get herself several chances. Paula had her best game of the year, working relentlessly and getting a lovely reception on the baseline which resulted in a gorgeous drive, which ended up being nearly pushed home by Sienna F. The goal-line save was off a foot and the penalty stroke was given: Amy made no mistake, sending it home and pulling LFA even. 

As the game wore on, our newest Senior players delivered fabulous minutes. Viki, who had stood in at wide half during a spell against Collingwood did so again against Handsworth and the ball was finding her. She made several great wide-side plays that helped push our pace and attack. Megan also had a fabulous shift, coming off completely spent, having given it everything. And down the roster: giving it everything. In the third, Collingwood had two net crashes that resulted in "lucky" goals--fortunate deflections from good attack--which is to say that Kaelen had no chance. But the Angels pushed on. There was no giving up and they ran their hearts out to the final whistle: literally. On the final whistle, we earned one last short corner to pull a goal back, but it was not to be. 

The 3-1 loss (to a great team) aside, this year's version of the Senior Field Hockey team has jam. They have fight. One opposing coach noted that they have extraordinary "heart". A worthy team of LFA's best ever result at Bridgman and a memory this group can take with them for a lifetime. Congrats, Angels!