The game ended in a 2-0 win, with one team prevailing over another.
But in true fact, the season completed with four teams winning – in that those who came to play and restart a once-strong league have established a foothold for others to follow.
The Moscrop Panthers will proudly display the Burnaby-New West senior girls field hockey league banner after blanking the New Westminster Hyacks 2-0 on Thursday.
It capped a season where four schools form-ed teams to re-animate programs dormant since the 2014 teachers strike. Despite the loss, New West coaches Chelsie Goodchild and Barb Hodges said it was a big step for the program.
“Our biggest achievement this season I would say was how much interest we had from the girls and how quickly they gelled as a team,” wrote Goodchild and Hodges in a joint email reply to the Record. “We weren’t sure when we started the season how many girls would show up or be interested in playing field hockey as it has been a few years since the program has run in the high schools. However, we were lucky enough to have 21 girls join the team.”
The final proved a lot closer than their previous meeting, which ended 5-2 for Moscrop. While they were missing a few forwards, the Hyacks put on a strong front and delivered a championship-worthy effort, said the coaches.
“We were not at full strength and were missing a bit of our punch up front, but the crew that were there did a great job. There didn’t seem to be any nerves, the girls were excited to be playing in the final. I think they played great.”
The Panthers got goals from Nicole Morneau and Simran Bains, while netminder Maria Preoteasa picked up the shutout.
For New West, Ella Fetherstonhaugh and Michelle Pern were voted team MVPs.
“Ella is a well seasoned player who is always enthusiastic and has a strong presence on and off the field. Michelle was brand new to hockey this year, but ended up being a solid contributor on the field,” noted Goodchild and Hodges.
The coaches also complimented the efforts of Sophia Pinter and Anne Hodges for their consistently strong play on the midline.
“The future for field hockey in New West looks very good to us, and we are hoping for it to keep gaining momentum,” Goodchild said.
