Injuries slow Bombers at Field Hockey Championships
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The L.V. Rogers Bombers overcame numerous injuries as well as an episode in the Group of Death to finish 12th overall at the BC High School Field Hockey Championships in Vancouver.
LVR dropped a tough 2-0 game to Glenlyon Norfolk Houseof Victoria in Consolation Round action to conclude the tournament.
“The girls just could not get any breaks this year after losing so many seniors last season,” said Bomber coach Bruce Walgren.
“This Bomber team was made up mainly of Grade 9 and 10 students and a hand full of Grade 11’s, (while) most teams we play in the tournament have all Grade 11 and 12 students,” Walgren added.
LVR, competing as a Wild Card entry, opened the tournament in a group with provincial powerhouses, Shawnigan Lake and St. Michael’s University from Vancouver Island and South Kamloops.
The Bombers pushed SMU early, before losing 3-1 to the Island School.
LVR held a 1-0 lead, scoring off a short-corner.
The Bombers then dropped a 7-0 decision to third-ranked Shawnigan Lake before concluding the round robin dropping a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to South Kam.
This loss dropped LVR into Tier 2 part of the Championship, with teams playing for positions nine to 16 overall or one to three in Tier 2.
LVR played Brentwood in quarterfinal action, defeating the Island School in shootout.
Bomber striker Gioia Valk scored with only 90 seconds left in the game to send the game to penalties.
Bombers converted on three of the five as the fifth was not needed, because of the outstanding goal keeping by Bomber Keeper Johanna Brochhagen who stopped three of the five Brentwood shooters, giving LVR a 3 – 2 win.
“This was a turning point for the ladies as we played well but ended up with major injuries which affected the team in the games to come,” said Walgren.
Those injuries were evident against G.W — Ashliegh McLean (knee), Jessica McLeod (leg) Rylee Zondervan (groin), Marisa Price (hip) and Africa Bajils Garoz (foot). Graham as LVR lost 3-1. LVR scored first from a short corner on a nice shot from Elle Schlegel.
LVR concluded the tournament against Glenlyon.
Following the game, a few individual awards were handed out as Keeper Johanna Brochhagen was given the “Outstanding Performance” by a player; Emma Chirico received the “Unsung Hero” award as she played every second of all six game in the tournament; Jessica Mcleod received the “Greatest Run” award for many of her numerous individual runs that would shock teams into defending; and power Midfielder Ella Peloso was the teams “Most Valuable Player” for her tremendous two way play.
“Karen and I are very proud of this young team and could not have asked for a better team to take to provincials for our last year coaching for LVR, they are a lot of fun and we wish the team and players all the best in the future,” Walgren said.
