VICTORIA (CIS) – The tournament host and defending champion Victora Vikes moved one step closer to a repeat appearance in the 2009 CIS women's field hockey championship gold medal game after playing the no. 1 seeded Guelph Gryphons to a 1-1 draw in game seven of round-robin competition.

The Vikes preserved their undefeated 1-0-2 record in round-robin tournament play, and could clinch their 19th appearance in the CIS title match with a win on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. versus the no. 5 seeded Alberta Pandas.

Canada West champion, and no. 2 seed UBC Thunderbirds have already clinched a spot in the gold medal match with a 2-0-1 record and seven points.

#Natalie Wise#, a senior forward with 9 national caps, gave the Vikes the lead with a goal in the 56th minute of play. Guelph, however was quick to tie the contest, scoring just two minutes later as Katelin Dellandrea pocketed her tournament-leading fourth goal.

"I think we have to come out strong against Alberta [tomorrow] and I think we're ready to do it," said Wise, who has led the Vikes in scoring each of the past three season. "I don't think there's anything we can't accomplish because we work as a team."

The Vikes had a final opportunity in stoppage time, as they were awarded a penalty corner as time expired. Wise narrowly missed tallying her second goal of the game, and was denied on a series of stops by Guelph 'keeper Dorothy Marcy.

By forcing the tie, the OUA Champion Gryphons maintained their chances of competing in Sunday's gold medal final with a 1-1-1 record. A loss would have meant an all-western final between UBC and Victoria.

Surrey BC native, Wise was named Player of the game for Victoria. Gryphons defender Heather Mitchell, a native of Guelph, picked up game-MVP honours for her side.

Victoria is undefeated against the Pandas (0-2) this season with two wins and a pair of ties during the Canada West regular season. Last year, the Vikes defeated Alberta 2-1 in the gold medal game to secure their 11th McCrae Cup.

Guelph, meanwhile will also play Alberta in a 4 p.m. match to conclude the round-robin portion of the tournament. The two sides played a 2-2 draw in last year's tournament.


SCORING SUMMARY
Victoria: 0-1:1
Guelph: 0-1:1

First half
No scoring

Second half
56th, VIC, Natalie Wise
58th, GUE, Katelin Dellandrea

Goaltenders
Victoria: Kaitlyn Williams (T, 70:00, 1 GA, 1-0-2)
Guelph: Dorothy Marcy (T, 70:00, 1 GA, 1-1-1)

Players of the game
Victoria: Natalie Wise (Surrey, BC)
Guelph: Heather Mitchell (Guelph, BC)