The CIS defending champion Varsity Blues field hockey team is back and out for more. Over the past 22 seasons, the Blues have won an impressive 12 provincial and four national titles, but have failed to capture both in a single season.
 
With 15 players returning, head coach John DeSouza, now in his sixth season at the helm, thinks his squad has what it takes to get the job done.
 
“We definitely lost some key players, but so far I’m feeling confident in our abilities,” said DeSouza. “We’ve had a great training camp and preseason schedule and I’m excited to get started this weekend.”
 
Returning to lead the Blues this season are 2010 CIS championship MVP Kaelan Watson and all-Canadian Hannah Tighe. A three-time OUA all-star and CIS all-Canadian, Watson will anchor a strong defensive corps who lost no one to graduation.  Together, the Blues allowed a mere 12 goals over 14 regular season games last season. 
 
Also a three-time OUA all-star, Tighe’s speed and tenacity will be relied on to control the middle of the field. She, along with fifth-year veteran Katherine McNeill and rookie standout Amanda Woodcroft, will be called upon to keep the Blues attack and defence balanced.
 
Leading the Blues up front this season will be the sophomore duo of Alex Thicke and Alexandra Evanyshyn. In their rookie campaigns, Thicke led the team in regular season scoring, while Evanyshyn led all players with six goals at the CIS championship.
 
The Varsity Blues open their 2011 campaign on the road as they travel to Montreal to take on the Queen’s Gaels and York Lions at McGill Stadium. The Blues return home the next weekend (Sept. 24-25) to host three games at Varsity Centre.

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