Less-than-ideal playing conditions didn’t stop the East Wiltshire Warriors and Queen Charlotte Coyotes from playing a game for the ages to decide the 2020 P.E.I. School Athletic Association (PEISAA) Intermediate AA Girls Field Hockey League championship.
The teams were scoreless through regulation and two overtime halves before East Wiltshire outscored Queen Charlotte 5-4 in the nine-round shootout competition.
“It feels amazing,” said the Warriors’ Rachael Campbell. “We deserved it and worked really hard.”
On a cold and windy Tuesday night under the lights at the UPEI turf field, with spectators bundled up in toques, gloves, winter coats and blankets while others watched from their vehicles, both teams left everything they had to give on the field.
PEISAA school sport co-ordinator Phil Bridges paid tribute to the efforts of both teams during the medal ceremony. Bridges told the teams and spectators this is a game the players will look back on with fond memories many years from now.
“It was an incredible game, and we are grateful to be able to have a season,” said Queen Charlotte head coach Sheila Bell. “To finish it like this, and have it (go) down to several rounds of shootouts, it came down to one shot.
“It was a great game by both teams, and it’s been a pleasure to see the girls out playing with all these circumstances going on.”
Winning goal
With the game on her stick, Campbell made no mistake scoring the championship-clinching goal following a last-second change in strategy against first-year Queen Charlotte goalie Sophie MacIsaac.
Campbell said it was the biggest goal of her field hockey career.
“I knew she was coming towards me and I knew I had space,” said Campbell, a 13-year-old Grade 8 student from Bonshaw. “I wasn’t looking at her so she would not know where I was shooting.
“I was going to go to the corner, but, at the last second, I decided to go straight, and it went right past her.”
“I was going to go to the corner, but, at the last second, I decided to go straight, and it went right past her.”
- Rachael Campbell
MacIsaac and East Wiltshire goalie Alexis Marshall were both outstanding. As a result, they were named the players of the game for their respective teams.
Marshall, who is in her second year with the Warriors, said it feels great to win the provincial title, but it wasn’t easy.
“It was very nerve-racking,” said the 13-year-old Grade 8 student from Cornwall. "The shootout was very intense, along with the game, too."
Marshall said her approach, as the pressure mounted throughout the game and shootout, was to maintain a steady focus while staying loose in the “very cold” conditions.
“I was just jumping up and down to keep myself warm and trying to get myself ready,” said Marshall.
Bell praised the play of MacIsaac, who was participating in a shootout for the first time and delivered clutch saves throughout the game.
“We are really proud of her,” said Bell. “It was a tough situation for anyone, especially a young goalie.”
Emily Sands, who is in her third year of coaching at East Wiltshire, said it feels great to win the gold medal after silver-medal performances the previous two years.
“I’m really, really proud of them, and they worked so hard,” said Sands. “Through practice and every game, they put a full effort in, and it showed (Tuesday).
“I believe their positive mindset, and the way they worked together as a team, is what got them that gold-medal.”
Bronze Medal
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Abby Larkin scored two goals to lead the Stonepark Tigers to a 5-0 win over the Birchwood Cobras in the bronze-medal game of the P.E.I. School Athletic Association Intermediate Girls Field Hockey League at the UPEI turf field on Tuesday.
Lydia Doyle, Alyssa Perry and Darcy Reardon also scored for the Tigers.
Kaelyn Doyle recorded the shutout.
Larkin was named the Tigers’ player of the game. Molly MacNeill was selected Stonepark’s player of the game.
Jason Simmonds is the sports reporter for The Guardian.
