UBC tops Victoria to win sixth straight U Sports field hockey championship

TORONTO – The UBC Thunderbirds claimed their sixth consecutive McCrae Cup with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Victoria Vikes at the Canadian university field hockey championship on Sunday.

UBC netminder Gabriella Switzer stopped all four Vikes she faced in the shootout while Rachel Donohoe and Sarah Keglowitsch both scored to secure the Thunderbirds’ victory.

Earlier Sunday, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues topped the Guelph Gryphons 2-0 for bronze.

The T-Birds, who claimed their 18th U Sports title in program history, needed a shootout to defeat the Vikes for the title for a second straight year. UBC is the only team to have won six consecutive national banners dating back to 1975.

“We played well enough to win today and that’s all that counts in tournament hockey,” said UBC head coach Robin D’Abreo. “I am so proud of these girls. This win was well deserved. I can’t say enough about our graduating seniors. They were the core of our team, they have been all year and they played fantastic games.”

Vikes forward Amanda Kurianowicz opened the scoring in the 49th minute. The T-Birds responded in the 61st minute as Gabby Jayme scored off a penalty corner to force the shootout.

UBC veteran Hannah Haughn earned championship MVP honours.

Victoria’s silver is their 12th in program history.

In the third-place game, Hilary Ziraldo scored both goals to give the Varsity Blues their ninth bronze medal in program history and first since 2006.

“For Hilary to get those two goals was really outstanding for us,” said Varsity Blues head coach John DeSouza. “She really played a great game too. This is always the toughest game to play in and I’m so proud of the way she finished and finished out the season for us.”

Ziraldo opened the scoring in the 20th minute and the Toronto native added an insurance marker off a penalty corner opportunity in the 55th to seal the victory.

Toronto improved to 9-9 in 18 third-place match appearances dating back to 1982.