The University of Victoria

Welcome to Field Hockey BC's guide to post-secondary education for field hockey players.

The UVic Women's Field Hockey Team won their 25th medal in 27 appearances at the 2009 CIS Championships, after winning their bronze medal match 2-1 over the top-ranked Guelph Gryphons. The UVic Vikes captured the CIS Championship Title in 2008 and are close behind UBC for the most number of championship titles at 12 McCrae Cup victories.

Lynne Beecroft has been the head coach of the UVic Vikes Women’s field hockey team for 27 years. The Comox, B.C. native has earned three Canada West Coach of the Year awards (1990,1993,2001). Beecroft has also spent time coaching at the regional and national level. In 2002, she was the Vancouver Island Regional coach for the National women’s field hockey program. Later that year, she was appointed as an assistant coach for the National team during a tour to Australia.  Beecroft has also coached numerous different BC teams, ranging from U16 to Canada Summer Games.

Several UVic players have been recognized by the CIS in the last few years. Alexandra Lee earned the MVP honours in 2007, and the Liz Hoffman Award in 2005. Lauren MacLean captured the MVP title in 2003 and the Liz Hoffman Award in 2002. Andrea Rushton earned the Liz Hoffman Award in 2001. Kaitlyn Williams and Ali Lee won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2007 and 2004, respectively.

The Tradition of Excellence...
Over 80 UVic Student-Athletes have represented Canada at the 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games. Since 1980, UVic teams have captured 45 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Championships and won 80 gold, 85 silver and 65 bronze medals in individual swimming and running at CIS Championship events. In the past five years, UVic captured 17 National Championship titles in men’s and women’s rowing, men’s rugby and men’s golf.

Each year more than 250 student-athlete's compete for the Vikes, playing in Canadian Interuniversity Sport, Canada West, NAIA, and B.C. Rugby Union leagues and at many other international, national and provincial competitions.

The Vikes coaches are considered among the best in their field in Canada and across the World and their knowledge, passion and commitment for their sport ensures each student-athlete's experience is exceptional.

It is an expectation that a Vikes varsity student-athlete will grow athletically and academically while with the program. In addition, the Vikes student-athletes are active in the community and believe that "giving back" is a key to developing in all areas of one's life. Many Vikes are volunteers with local schools and community groups or participate in many of the Vikes led Community Initiatives.

A great university is more than a place to learn. It's where you live, in every sense of the word. UVic students say that there's no comparison to living and learning in Canada's far west at one of the nation's leading comprehensive universities. You'll have access to world-class professors, life-changing opportunities, and possibly the most attractive and vibrant location that any university can offer.

Vikes clinch bronze with win over top-ranked Guelph
 
VICTORIA (CIS) - The tournament host Victoria Vikes won their 25th medal in 27 appearances at the CIS women's field hockey championships, after winning their bronze medal match 2-1 over the top-ranked Guelph Gryphons.

The defending champion and no. 3 seeded Vikes won the sixth bronze medal in school history on Sunday morning, with goals from Whitney Siegmann (15th) and Angela Buttress (58th).

"To lose yesterday with three minutes left to play [the team] could have folded up their tents and not even showed up to the game today," said head coach Lynne Beecroft. "But as you can see they all battled and especially the fifth year kids, they really rose to the challenge.

Victoria midfielder Angela Buttress scored what proved to be the game-winning goal on a penalty stroke in the 58th minute. The third-year North Vancouver native capitalized on the awarded opportunity after a Guelph defender blocked the ball on the goalline.

The Vikes opened the scoring in the 15th minute, with second year Kelowna native Whitney Siegmann finding the back of the net.

The Gryphons tied the game just five minutes later on a penalty corner, with two-time all-Canadian Angela Lancaster slipping one past Vikes' netminder Kaitlyn Williams.

Guelph, who entered the tournament with an undefeated record and no. 1 seed, was denied a medal for a second consecutive year after also placing fourth at last year's tournament. It also marks the third consecutive year that the top ranked team has been shutout of the medals.

"Our forwards were running everywhere getting balls, penetrating the circle and getting chances," said Victoria captain Katie Collison, who played her last game in a Vikes uniform. "It was an overall team effort which was good to see in the final game and we finished strong."

In addition to Collison, Victoria graduating players include defender Sumeet Aujla of Surrey, defender Katie Tittler of Richmond, and forward Surrey native Natalie Wise.

Player of the game honours were presented to a pair of Victoria, BC natives and former teammates at Lambrick Park Secondary. Kyla Kirby, a rookie defender, was named the Vikes' game-MVP, while Gryphons Player of the game was rookie defender Lauren Goodmanson.


SCORING SUMMARY
Victoria: 1-1: 2
Guelph: 1-0: 1

First half
15th, UVic, Whitney Siegmann
20th, GUE, Angela Lancaster

Second half
58th, UVic, Angela Buttress

Goaltenders
Victoria: Kaitlyn Williams (W, 70:00, 1 GA, 2-1-2)
Guelph: Dorothy Marcy (L, 68:30, 2 GA, 1-3-1)

Players of the game
Victoria: Kyla Kirby (Victoria, BC)
Guelph: Lauren Goodmanson (Victoria, BC)