Stamps clinch field hockey top spot

   Defeat both the Medway Cowboys and Dorchester Beavers to secure first place

   in TVRA but Parkside hopes to return to OFSAA for the first time since 2014

    Thursday, October 11, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

LONDON, ON. - They have an itch to return to OFSAA.

In recent years, the Parkside Stampeders have become the team to beat in the Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA). They are the reigning two-time TVRA champions, following the merger of the Central and Tri-County divisions.

But Parkside continues to hold higher aspirations, aiming to advance to OFSAA, the high school provincial championship, a tournament the school has not participated in since 2014.

At WOSSAA last season, the South Huron Sabres scored late in the game to edge Parkside, 1-0, to earn a berth to OFSAA. The Stampeders want it to be their turn this season.

"That's a big goal for us," Parkside co-captain Kendra Hulst said. "It's my last year, so I want that more than anything. We only lost by a goal last year in the last minute of the game. We have a good shot this year."

The Stampeders clinched first place in TVRA by beating their long time conference nemesis, the Medway Cowboys, 3-0, followed by a 4-1 win over the Dorchester Beavers.

"We were nervous. We told the rookies that we have been rivals for a long time," said Hulst, of Medway. "We knew we had to play it tough the whole way through. We had to keep the ball moving and keep it to the side because we know they're good in the middle. If they get it (ball) we could be in trouble. We just had to spread the field."

Parkside led Medway, 1-0, at half, on Renee Lammiman's goal. Savannah Williams and Grace Clinton scored in the second half.

Lammiman, with two goals, Hulst and Grace Shackelton scored, against Dorchester.

With one game remaining in the regular season, the Stampeders are 6-0.

"We're good all-around," said Hulst. "We have good speed with our forwards. Our defence really helps out. We have a solid wall back there and we don't give up too many shots.

The Stampeders had not allowed a goal this season, until Dorchester's Hannah Vickers broke the goose egg.

Dorchester, now at 4-2, split their pair of games, losing to Parkside, but edging Strathroy DCI, 2-1, with Vickers and Darian Linton potting goals.

The Beavers will finish third in TVRA, behind Parkside and Medway (5-1). Most teams have one game remaining in the regular season.

The TVRA playoffs are Thursday, October 18, at City Wide Fields. The winner heads to WOSSAA, also at City Wide, Thursday, October 25. OFSAA is November 1-3, in Burlington.

South Huron and Goderich are the two strong programs yet again this year, out of the Huron-Perth League.