Make it three consecutive TVRA titles

   Renee Lammiman scores three goals as the Parkside Stampeders gallop over the

   Dorchester Beavers, 9-0, for a third TVRA field hockey championship in a row

    Thursday, October 18, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

LONDON, ON. - The reigning champions gave a lesson to the new kids on the block on how to remain the number one team.

Renee Lammiman led the way scoring a hat trick, as the Parkside Stampeders won their third consecutive Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) field hockey title, defeating the Lord Dorchester Beavers, 9-0, in the final, at City Wide Fields.

Parkside completes an undefeated run through TVRA, including shutting out the Strathroy Saints, 3-0, in their semifinal.

Dorchester was somewhat of a surprise with their appearance in the final, but the Beavers had their game of the year blanking the Medway Cowboys, 1-0, in the semfinals.

That put the Stampeders on alert entering the final.

"I was a bit nervous because they beat Medway so they are pretty good. We had to step it up," said Parkside co-captain Kendra Hulst. "They have some fast forwards that really surprised us, so we knew we had to keep our ground and keep our sticks down. We knew we had to be focused."

Hulst took the lead making sure Parkside would not be an upset victim, by scoring minutes in to the game. Lammiman followed with three consecutive goals as the Stampeders built a 4-0 lead by half-time.

Gracie Clinton, Grace Shackelton, Shelby Beecroft, Braelyn Dennis and Savannah Williams, completed the scoring.

Dorchester had their opportunities to score, with forward Hannah Vickers and Emma McKnight pressing, but the Parkside defenders were quick to close the gaps and stick on the Beaver forwards.  

In only their second season in the sport after a seven year absence, Dorchester made great strides with their appearance in the final, following a 5-2 regular season.

Darian Linton scored the lone goal against Medway, while goalie Toni Hermans picked up the shutout. More from their semifinal.

"It's an incredible feeling to make the final having the sport for only a second year and go against (Parkside). It's an accomplishment on its own," Vickers said. "It's super exciting especially because we are an A school, playing AA and AAA schools. We had a buyout (for the semifinal) and the crowd definitely helped. I'm excited to just have a team, but to make it to the final in our second year is incredible."

The Stampeders return to the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) game, with their season long goal of advancing to OFSAA. That game goes Thursday, October 25th, (2:45 p.m.) at City Wide, against the Huron-Perth Conference champion, likely Exeter South Huron, last year's WOSSAA champ, or the Goderich Vikings.

"It is a home game for us. We're familiar with the field," said Hulst. "We have to keep our heads in the whole way through and don't let up. They'll obviously be strong and our best competition yet."

The WOSSAA winner advances to OFSAA, November 1-3, in Burlington.

Ingersoll won the TVRA B final, blanking the West Elgin Wildcats, 3-0.

In the B semfinals, Journey Bois-Grossiant scored twice during penalty shots, lifting West Elgin over the East Elgin Eagles, 2-1.

Wildcat Arissa Hansen and Eagle Alyssa Braun traded goals during regulation.

Ingersoll shutout the Central Elgin Titans, 1-0.