For the first time in the school’s history, the Leaside High School Varsity Girls hockey team has won the TDSSAA city championship.
On Friday, March 1st, the Leaside team defeated two-year reigning champion Malvern in an OT semifinal nail biter and went on to defeat Lawrence Park with a commanding 3-0 win to take the trophy.
Coming into the final tournament, the players were confident even though they knew they were up against tough opponents. Grade 12 player Taylor Thompson noted that “there was a lot of unknown going into the tournament; there were several teams that we knew had good players.”
In the end, it was the play of the Leaside Lancers which prevailed.
Throughout the season, goalies Sasha Garrido and Eve McKenney stood on their heads (look it up!), with the rest of the team gelling impressively well together.
The team had no designated captain with a group of Grade 11 and 12 players acting as a strong leadership group. According to coach Cecily Osborne, “the leaders were so positive and inspiring to the younger players.”
Player Riley Stansfield noted that Coach Osborne “is the reason the team was successful.” From disciplined practices to team-building events, Osborne was constantly motivating and inspiring her players.
Congratulations to the team on an historic and impressive victory!
