“Ducks to Eagles”
1997 University of Victoria Women’s Field Hockey Roster| NAME | POSITION |
| Bianca Bodley | M |
| Anna-Marie de Zwager | GK |
| Jill Dorazio | M/F |
| Aoibhinn Grimes | F |
| Christa Hornby | D |
| Meggan Hunt | D |
| Lia Macfarlane | D |
| Rachel Peters | D |
| Tracey Court | F |
| Andrea Rushton | M/D |
| Kristen Taunton | M |
| Kristal Timmer | M |
| Julia Wong | M |
| Anna Grimes | F |
| Karalyn Joyce | F |
| Janet Filipenko | GK |
Lynne Beecroft (Head Coach)
Krista Thompson (Assistant Coach)
Biography After hosting the 1996 Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) national championship tournament and falling just shy of capturing their first McRae Cup on home turf, the University of Victoria’s women’s field hockey team was determined to recapture their CIAU title from the 1995 season.
The Vikettes welcomed national team goalkeeper Krista Thompson from New Brunswick as their assistant coach at the beginning of the 1997 season. Thompson played for the University of New Brunswick Red Sticks from 1991-95 and was a member of both the junior and senior national team between 1992-2001.
During the Canada West 1997 regular season the girls successfully outscored their opponents 35–9 in 12 games. The Vikettes swept their competitors two out of the three regular season weekend tournaments.
Aoibhinn Grimes lead the team with six goals followed by
Meggan Hunt with five goals.
Many Vikettes captured respective Canada West awards during the 1997 season.
Rachel Peters was the only first-year Vikette to consistently make the starting line-up. Although only playing half a season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Peters' initial impact guided her to Canada West rookie of the year. Grimes was honoured with the Gail Wilson Trophy for outstanding contribution.
Anna-Marie de Zwager, Grimes and
Kristal Timmer were all named Canada West all-stars.
Beecroft took her team to Toronto, Ontario where the Vikettes buckled down for the CIAU national championship tournament. Historically, the Vikettes have won every championship title hosted by York University, except one in 1980. Although the Vikettes had a successful regular season, Beecroft realized their team theme did not portray the meaning she was aiming for. At the last minute, Beecroft changed their theme from "ducks" to “eagles” since ducks could be shot down.
Looking to win their eighth CIAU banner, the girls played the University of Alberta Pandas in game one. Unfortunately they fell 1-0 to the Pandas. After listening to their pump-up song “I get knocked down but I get up again” by the Chumbawamba’s, the Vikettes bounced back to defeat the University of Calgary Dinos 3-2 in game two.
Advancing to the semifinals, the UVic women’s field hockey team played the 1997 CIAU champs the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. The Vikettes shutdown the Blues 2-0 berthing them into the finals for a redemption game against Canada West rivals Alberta Pandas. In a closely matched game, Canada West All-Star Grimes scored the game winner for the Vikettes, defeating the Pandas 1-0 to capture their eighth McRae banner.
Julia Wong was dubbed player of the final game.
Although she was not able to compete at nationals, Peters was credited CIAU Joyce Slipp rookie of the year earning her second rookie of the year awards in one season for her outstanding performance in the first half of the season. De Zwager and Grimes were named tournament XI all-stars. Grimes was also named to the CIAU All-Canadian first team, while Timmer was named to the Second All-Canadian team. The Vikes successfully captured six major CIAU awards to end their 1997 championship year.
Future Success Many teammates from the 1997 championship team captured CIAU awards in the following years.
At the end of the following 1998 season, Master’s student
Veronica Planella was awarded the CIAU championship 1998 most valuable player (MVP) and CIAU player of the year.
Andrea Rushton, Kristal Timmer and Planella were also named CIAU tournament All-Stars. Planella and teammate
Meggan Hunt were recognized in 1998 as First Team All- Canadians, while
Aoibhinn Grimes, Planella and
Kristen Taunton were First Team All-Canadians in 1999.
Six of the 13 members of the 1997 championship Vikette team, Grimes, Rushton, Taunton, Hunt, Wong and Timmer, have been key members of the Canadian national field hockey program over the years.
Currently, Planella’s contribution to the development of youth field hockey on Vancouver Island has significantly increased the knowledge and passion for the local field hockey community.
Highlights Canada West Record: 10-1-1 (1
st)
Canada West All-Stars: Anna- Marie de Zwager, Aoibhinn Grimes, Krista Timmer
Canada West Rookie of the Year: Rachel Peters
Canada West Gail Wilson Trophy: Aoibhinn Grimes
[DOWNLOAD CANADA WEST 1997-98 YEAR IN REVIEW] CIAU Record: 3-1 (Gold)
CIAU Tournament XI: Aoibhinn Grimes, Anna-Marie de Zwager
CIAU First Team All-Canadians: Aoibhinn Grimes
CIAU Second Team All-Canadians: Kristal Timmer
CIAU Joyce Slipp Rookie of the Year: Rachel Peters
CIAU Tournament MVP: Aoibhinn Grimes
