The schedule and opening-round matchups were announced Sunday evening for the 44th CIS men’s soccer championship which gets under way Thursday in Fredericton.
The eight-team tournament, hosted by the University of New Brunswick for the first time since 1980, will culminate next Sunday with the National final at 2 p.m. Atlantic Time.
The reigning champion UBC Thunderbirds will be at the competition to defend their title. The T-Birds, who a year ago captured their record 12th Sam Davidson Memorial Trophy thanks to a 1-0 gold-medal win over Cape Breton in Quebec City, dominated the Saskatchewan Huskies 6-1 earlier today in the Canada West final.
UBC and conference runner-up Saskatchewan will be joined at this week’s tourney by the host UNB Varsity Reds (AUS champions), as well as the Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ champs), York Lions (OUA champs), Saint Mary’s Huskies (AUS finalists), Montreal Carabins (RSEQ finalists) and Ryerson Rams (OUA finalists).
The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds continued their making of history winning their 15th McCrae Cup after defeating hosts the Victoria Vikes 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at the 2013 Field Hockey Canada-CIS national championship in Victoria.
The T-Birds are the first school to ever win three straight national titles after wins in 2012 and 2011.
This is the tenth CIS final that featured Victoria and UBC with the Championship-winning ‘Birds now holding a 7-3 advantage in the rivalry series.
This is also the 21st appearance for both teams in the gold-medal game while UBC now hold the record with 15 national titles. Victoria and Toronto are currently tied for second with 11 CIS banners.
In a high-paced, exciting match up the Thunderbirds came away with the win thanks to two goals from former CIS Rookie of the Year Hannah Haughn. Rachel Donohoe and Sara McManus also capitalized, while midfielder Abigail Raye was named the Championship MVP following the game.
Fifth-year Kyla Kirby led the Vikes to an admirable performance that saw them break the T-Birds shutout with a late goal in the 6\4th minute from Amanda Kurinaowicz. Vikes keeper Sheriden Goodmanson posted several saves in the game and was rewarded as the only goalie named to the tournament eleven.
The Vikes came out of the gate early earning their lone first-half penalty corner in the sixth minute of play. Unable to capitalize the T-Birds were back the other way in continual waves.
UBC continued the strength of their corner execution capitalizing on their first chance in the 12th minute. A set play that faked through the legs of Miranda Mann left Sophie Huijskens a free sweep shot. Haughn got a stick on it at the far post to give the visiting ‘Birds the 1-0 lead.
In the 18th minute the T-Birds were again with a penalty corner opportunity and Rachel Donohoe made no mistake with a deceptive sweep that went straight in to the bottom left corner.
The Vikes did well to disrupt midfield play but were unable to handle the speed and craftiness that the T-Birds brought from internationally experienced Kate Gillis, Haughn, Raye and Sourisseau. UBC sat on a 3-0 lead entering the break.
In the second half there was a lot of back-and-forth action, emotion and competitiveness on the pitch. Yellow card cautions were shown as both teams continued to compete until the final horn.
The Vikes silenced the T-birds in the 64th minute on a well-executed back-hand shot by leading Vikes scorer Kurianowicz to keep the game within two.
In the 64th minute McManus, also named a tournament all-star, lifted the Thunderbirds back up by three converting on a penalty stroke.
The call came after Alanna Macdonald made a diving tackle on Gillis inside the circle.
Moments later the Vikes celebrated what they thought was an own-goal off a hard hit from outside the 23-meter area. Several Vikes including the bench celebrated thinking the ball deflected went in off a T-Birds foot but it remained a UBC 15-meter hit.
Just as time was about to expire the Vikes mustered up three back-to-back corners and despite having their whole team on the circle were unable to capitalize.
The Thunderbirds celebrated the win with five players named to the tournament all-star list including Caitlin Evans, Mann, McManus, Raye, and Sourisseau.
For the Vikes honours went to keeper Goodmanson, Kirby and gritty midfielder Kathleen Leahy.
Also named to the list were Guelph’s Erin Houle and Amy Wise, as well as Waterloo’s Ally Kocukov. Waterloo was honoured with the R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award following the tournament.
Championship MVP: Abigail Raye, UBC R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award: University of Waterloo.
