York University

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

The York Lions Women's Field Hockey team ended the 2008-2009 season with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Waterloo Warriors in their OUA quarter-final. The defeat came on the heels of an up-and-down season that saw the team lose four of its first six games but then rally to post a 5-2-1 record in the last eight.

It was not the way the team wanted to end its season, but the York Lions Women's Field Hockey team should be proud of its accomplishments and effort nonetheless. Highlighting the Lions’ season were Effie Petrou (Oakville, Ont.) and Blount, who were named First-Team All-Stars, and Kelly, who was named a Second-Team All-Star.

Head coach Deborah Fullerton continues to lead a strong York field hockey program and is now in her seventh season with the team in 2009-10. Fullerton’s team has won two OUA medals in her tenure at York. In 2004-05 she coached the indoor hockey team to its first OUA championship in six years.

As a York University student, you will have access to some of the best athletic facilities of any Canadian University. York U has several athletic facilities, some of which are used for major tournaments. These include a football stadium, 5 gymnasia, 5 sport playing fields, 4 softball fields, 9 outdoor tennis courts, 5 squash courts, 3 dance/aerobic studios, 6 ice arenas, a swimming pool, an 11,000-square-foot Tait McKenzie Fitness Centre and the new Rexall Centre, home of the Rogers Tennis Cup.

York University is now Canada's third largest university, world-renowned for attracting students who forge their own unique paths. Located in Toronto Ontario, York is a dynamic, interdisciplinary academic community of researchers, teachers, graduate and undergraduate students from over 155 countries.

York offers full and part-time graduate and undergraduate degree programs to over 50,000 students in faculties. The Faculty of Graduate Studies is Ontario's second largest graduate school, offering both traditional and non-traditional interdisciplinary areas of study.

York University's philosophy is the ability to provide an opportunity to students for whom post secondary study has not traditionally been an easy choice. York University takes pride in its reputation as a people-oriented institution, providing an enriching environment for its community members.

Petrou, Blount named CIS all-Canadians

TORONTO, October 30, 2008 -- York University ...

York Lions field hockey player Effie Petrou was named a CIS first-team all-Canadian on Wednesday night (Oct. 29) at the 2008 CIS Field Hockey Championship awards banquet hosted by the University of Victoria. Teammate Brittney Blount was named a CIS second-team all-Canadian.

Petrou (Oakville, Ont.), a former OUA and CIS rookie of the year, had another outstanding season on the field. She had more responsibility this year as a key player in the midfield and she was a tremendous leader for the younger players. She was also named an OUA first-team all-star for the third consecutive season.

“Effie is very dedicated to the sport of field hockey,” said head coach Deb Fullerton. “She has elevated her game tremendously this year, becoming a smarter player with great vision, and she plays a strong role on the field both defensively and offensively on short corners. She is very coachable and always has a smile on her face. She has great passion for the game and her passion has become addictive within her team in the most positive way.”

Fourth-year goalkeeper Blount (Ottawa, Ont.) had her best season since coming to York. She posted an impressive 1.93 goals against average in 14 games this season, including five shutouts and two one-goal games. Her selection on the CIS second team marks the first time she has received CIS recognition. She also was named to her first ever OUA first team earlier this year.

“Brittney is a coach’s dream player,” said Fullerton. “She has dedicated herself unconditionally to field hockey and to the York program as a goalkeeper. She came to York after only one season with her high school and one summer with the Ontario time. She was a new goalie with a lot of potential and York was lucky to scoop her up.”

The complete list of CIS major award winners and all-stars is as follows:

Major Award Winners
Liz Hoffman Award (player of the year) – Cailie O’Hara (Toronto)
Joyce Slipp Award (rookie of the year) – Jessalyn Walkey (Guelph)
Gail Wilson Award (outstanding contributor) – Tyla Flexman (UBC)
Marina van der Merwe Award (coach of the year) – Hash Kanjee (UBC)

First-Team All-Canadians
Defence      Lakae Dill (Western)        
Def. / Mid.   Laura Dowling (UBC)   
Forward      Mikaela Ellis (UPEI)           
Midfielder    Tyla Flexman (UBC)                                 
Forward      Bunny Hughes (Alberta)
Mid. / Def.   Alexandra Lee (Victoria)      
Forward      Kathryn MacPherson (UBC)         
Mid. / For.   Cailie O’Hara (Toronto)      
Midfielder  Effie Petrou (York)
Forward       Michelle Weber (Western)  
Forward       Kristine Wishart (Guelph)     

Second-Team All-Canadians       
Defence       Maria Barreiro (St. Mary’s)
Goalie        Brittney Blount (York)       
Midfielder    Courtney Campbell (Calgary)           
Mid. / Def.   Perri Espeseth (Victoria)        
Midfielder    Angela Lancaster (Guelph)       
Midfielder    Erin Mason (Alberta)      
Defence      Kristen Shier (Toronto)          
Forward      Brienne Stairs (Guelph)        
Defence      Katie Tittler (Victoria)         
Midfielder    Jessalyn Walkey (Guelph)       
Defence      Kaelan Watson (Toronto)            

-YU-

For more information, please contact:
Alyson Grant
Sport and Recreation Information Officer
Sport & Recreation
York University
Phone: 416-736-5984
Fax: 416-736-5702
Email: alysong@yorku.ca

Released October 30, 2008