The Malcolm Fernandes annual U18 girls indoor field hockey tournament was hosted by Cowichan over the weekend inside the Cowichan Community Centre gym.
The six-team tournament, named after Cowichan’s legendary indoor coach who died in 2015, was sponsored this year by Maverick Fernandes and the Fernandes family, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Osaka and Stone Pacific.
“This tournament means a lot to Cowichan Field Hockey and its members and it was an amazing weekend of field hockey from all teams,” said Cowichan coach Ashton Aumen.
Cowichan placed third in the event.
“I am so proud of the girls,” Aumen said. “Cowichan had a successful weekend winning the bronze medal game in a shootout against White Hawks. Our goalie, Natalie Ellingson was extraordinary all weekend and in her first ever shootout stopping two of three shooters to help Cowichan get the win.”
Anna Jordan and Hannah Engel scored Cowichan’s shootout goals.
The final pitted Island Wildcats Black against Calgary Legacy with Legacy coming out on top of a 1-0 score.
Cowichan had made the medal round after going 2-2-1 in the round robin.
“In a very short time, after not having indoor tournaments for the past few years our team came together and played very well collectively, securing the bronze medal,” Aumen said. “They were all very adaptable, tenacious and hardworking throughout the entire tournament.”
Three Cowichan players made the Top 10 in tournament scorers with Ella Goodman and Anna Jordan tied with two others for fifth (scoring four apiece), and Hannah Engel who was just behind with three.
Cowichan’s Hannah Doman netted two, while Ava Winter, Ella Stone and Kayla Dosen all potted singles in the event.