FH: Victoria aims for five
Can the Vikes deliver a fifth straight CW title or will foes UBC and Calgary flip the script?
The word dynasty often gets thrown around loosely these days, but now there's no question about it - the University of Victoria Vikes are in the midst of a historic field hockey dynasty.
Four straight Canada West conference titles.
Four straight U SPORTS national championships.
Impressive stuff.
But with a new season comes a new set of questions as the Vikes look to hold off rivals from UBC and Calgary.
Among them, how will they respond to a changing of the guard? After 39 years at the helm, Lynne Beecroft retired as Vikes head coach last season, going out on top after winning her 15th national championship.
There will be big shoes to fill, but first year head coach Krista Thompson appears more than ready. It should be a seamless transition as Thompson has spent the past 26 seasons as an assistant coach with the program.
Victoria will be led by third-year forward Chloe Langkammer, a two-time Canada West All-Star and a 2022 U SPORTS All-Canadian. She led all CW scorers with nine goals last season.
The UBC Thunderbirds remain the winningest team in Canada West history, but the Vikes are quickly catching up. The T-Birds have 25 conference titles to their name, while Victoria now boasts 23.
UBC will count on strong defence in hopes of reclaiming their CW supremacy, led by goalkeeper Hannah Rumble, who will look to build on a breakout season that saw her win Canada West Goalkeeper of the Year. Rumble recorded three shutouts in games in which UBC scored two or fewer goals in 2022, making her the difference between a winning and losing Thunderbirds campaign.
Out east, the Calgary Dinos will also be hoping to take another step forward this season. Third-year defender Madison Gaffney is a player to watch as she brings important experience to a young group filled with promising talent.
The 2023 season kicks off this weekend as UBC visits Calgary on Sept. 9 and 10.
For the complete schedule, click here.
2023 CW FIELD HOCKEY TEAM PREVIEWS
1. Victoria Vikes
Key Performer: Chole Langkammer
2021 U SPORTS & Canada West Rookie of the Year, two-time Canada West All-Star and 2022 U SPORTS All-Canadian Chloe Langkammer returns for her third season as a Vike in 2023. Langkammer led all Canada West scorers with nine goals in 2022, earning Canada West and U SPORTS Player of the Week honours after a five-goal weekend against Calgary, Oct. 18-19. Langkammer will look to lead the offence of a young Vikes squad on the pitch in 2023.
2. UBC Thunderbirds
Key Performer: Hannah Rumble
Hannah Rumble is looking to build on a breakout season that saw her win Canada West Goalkeeper of the Year. The tenacious and hyper-athletic Rumble combines strong technical skills with a relentless drive that led to her make numerous impossible looking point blank saves. Rumble recorded three shutouts in games in which UBC scored two or fewer goals in 2022, making her the difference between a winning and losing Thunderbirds campaign.
3. Calgary Dinos
Key Performer: Madison Gaffney
Madison Gaffney returns to the 2023 Dinos roster and brings important experience to a young group that is hoping to take the next step this season. The third-year defender will be leaned upon for experience by a team that features the national rookie of the year and an exciting incoming group of players.