VICTORIA – The University of Victoria women's field hockey program has made winning look routine, stringing together six consecutive conference and national titles. However, for head coach
Krista Thompson, championships aren't the objective, they're simply the outcome of a program built on effort, teamwork, and preparation.
The Vikes, who are ranked number one in the Canada West conference, open the 2025-26 season on the road against the University of Calgary Dinos on Saturday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. PST.
Thompson enters her third season as head coach of the program, assuming the reins in January 2023 following the retirement of Hall of Fame coach Lynne Beecroft. Thompson spent 26 years (1997–2022) as the program's assistant coach, and since taking the helm, she has gone three-for-three—capturing national titles in each of her first three seasons while extending the team's championship streak to six.
In 2024-25, the Vikes claimed their 25th Canada West banner with a 5-1-2 conference record before rolling through the newly restored round-robin national championship format. Wins over Waterloo, UPEI, and York (twice) secured a perfect 4-0 record and a sixth straight national crown.
The Vikes enter this season as perennial contenders, but they'll need to reload after graduating six players from last year's roster, including Canada West and U SPORTS award winners
Chloe Langkammer and
Anni Kleinschmidt. Still, with six returnees playing internationally over the summer, the program's talent pool remains as deep as ever.
From the coach's desk:
"It's no different than years past, we're focussed on what we can control which is our effort, working collectively as a team and seeing what we can do as a group. Canada West is a tough conference, it will be challenging and there will be no easy games," said Thompson. "It's a privilege to have the opportunity to play sport at this level and we make sure to take time to appreciate what we have."
Key returners:
Libby Hogg
Oak Bay High School graduate
Libby Hogg returns for her fifth and final season with the Vikes, having contributed to a national championship in each year of her varsity career. One of the program's most decorated players, Hogg capped last season by earning UVic's prestigious President's Cup. On the field, she collected U SPORTS All-Canadian honours, a Canada West All-Star nod, and a spot on the U SPORTS All-Tournament Team. This past summer, Hogg gained valuable international experience representing Canada with the senior women's national team at the Pan American Cup and earning her first senior cap.
Julia Boraston
Mount Douglas Secondary alumna
Julia Boraston enters the season as a veteran presence for the Vikes and a rising figure on the international stage. A skilled midfielder and consistent scoring threat, Boraston earned her first senior national team cap on July 24 against Uruguay and spent the summer competing with Canada at the Pan American Cup.
Rebecca Stone
St. Michael's University School graduate
Rebecca Stone enters her third season with the Vikes as one of the program's brightest young stars. The 2023 U SPORTS Rookie of the Year has quickly established herself as a generational talent, combining a high tactical IQ with strong on-field leadership. This summer, Stone represented Canada at the Junior Pan American Games, further cementing her place as a key figure for the Vikes.
The Vikes are stacked with talent, including three-time Canada West All-Star
Maeve Connorton, a dynamic playmaker with athleticism to spare.
Ava Winter,
Sadie Lee, and
Maddie Hunter also return after representing Canada over the summer at the multisport Junior Pan Am Games and will look to play larger roles this season.
Key additions:
Neeve Unger
Glenlyon Norfolk School graduate Neave Unger joins the Vikes as a first-year player but is no stranger to the pitch. A product of UVic's Rising Stars program, Unger captained Team BC's U18 Blue squad to a national championship this summer. Head coach
Krista Thompson describes her as "fit, fast, and skillful," qualities that will make her an immediate asset to the roster.
The Vikes open their home season Saturday, September 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lynne "Buzz" Beecroft Field.
