Photo credit Martin Bazyl

TORONTO (CIS) – The third-seeded Canada West Victoria Vikes opened the 2014 CIS-FHC field hockey championship with a 3-2 victory over the OUA silver medalist Guelph Gryphons on Thursday evening at the University of Toronto’s Back Campus Fields.

Third-year forward and CIS all-Canadian Amanda Kurianowicz of Calgary notched two goals, including the game-winner, in the victory. Victoria held a 3-0 lead until the final 12 minutes of the match, but two quick goals from Guelph was all they could muster.

“It was a pretty good game for all of us until the last little bit, but for the most part it was a good way to kick off the tournament,” said Kurianowicz. “We definitely had to take a breath and get our composure back.”

It was the ninth time in as many appearances that the Gryphons took on the Vikes. Victoria, who have competed at 33-of-40 national championships, notched their fifth-ever win over Guelph on the national stage.

Kurianowicz opened the scoring in the third minute with a great shot from deep in the circle that floated over Gryphons goalkeeper Shinai Sorensen (Victoria). 

Guelph midfielder Danica Davies of Port Coquitlam, B.C, had a break in the 20th minute, but Victoria netminder Sheriden Goodmanson (Victoria) came out to challenge and made the save.

The Vikes extended their lead in the 33rd minute when fourth-year defender Alanna Macdonald of Coquitlam, B.C., tipped in a shot off a penalty corner opportunity. The Vikes led 2-0 at the half.

Kurianowicz scored early in the second, notching what would be the game-winner in the 37th minute.

Guelph finally got on the board when 2014 OUA rookie of the year Olivia Lane finished off a nice passing play to beat Goodmanson in the 58th minute.

The Gryphons brought the game within one when they were awarded a stroke in the 66th minute. Third-year forward Daniela Jelec of Mississauga, Ont., made no mistake, firing the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.

Despite two late goals, the Gryphons were unable complete the comeback.

“We played a phenomenal game,” said Michelle Turley, now in her 11th season as Gryphons head coach. “The early goal was what let us down. We needed to capitalize on all of our opportunities. My girls played fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for more from them. To come back after being down three goals - it was a sensational and exciting finish.”

Next up for the Gryphons (0-1) is a tilt with a Toronto Varsity Blues (0-0) in a repeat of last Sunday’s OUA final, Friday at 4:30 p.m. The Vikes (1-0) take on the top-seeded and defending champion UBC Thunderbirds (0-0) in an all-Canada West battle at 6:30 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on CIS-SIC.tv

SCORING SUMMARY
VIC: 2-1: 3
GUE: 0-2: 2
 
First half
VIC Amanda Kurianowicz (1), 3rd minute
VIC Alanna Macdonald (1), 33rd minute

Second half
VIC Amanda Kurianowicz (2), 37th minute
GUE Olivia Lane (1), 58th minute
GUE Daniela Jelec (1), 66th minute
 
Goaltenders
VIC: Sheriden Goodmanson (W, 70:00, 2 GA, 1-0)
GUE: Shinai Sorensen (L, 70:00, 3 GA, 0-1)

Players of the game
VIC: Poonam Sandhu (Vancouver, B.C.)
GUE: Ally Chute (Greenfield Park, Que.)

STANDINGS, SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Round-robin standings

  GP W L T GF GA PTS
1. Victoria 1 1 0 0 3 2 3
2. UBC  0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2. Toronto 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4. Guelph 1 0 1 0 2 3 0

NOTE: 3 points for a win and 1 point for a tie.

Thursday, Oct. 30
16:30 Game 1: Victoria 3, Guelph 2
18:30 Game 2: UBC vs. Toronto (CIS-SIC.tv)

Friday, Oct. 31
16:30 Game 3: Toronto vs. Guelph (CIS-SIC.tv)
18:30 Game 4: UBC vs. Victoria (CIS-SIC.tv)

Saturday, Nov. 1
13:00 Game 5: Toronto vs Victoria (CIS-SIC.tv)
15:00 Game 6: UBC vs. Guelph (CIS-SIC.tv)

Sunday, Nov. 2
13:00 Bronze medal (CIS-SIC.tv)
15:00 Championship final (CIS-SIC.tv)

About Canadian Interuniversity Sport

Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Every year, over 11,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches from 56 universities and four regional associations vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit www.cis-sic.ca or follow us on:

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