– Craig Hagerman, staff

The Laurier Brantford women’s extramural hockey team was in action in their third tournament of the year on Friday at Conestoga College, where the lady Golden Hawks lost a heart-breaker in the championship game. The ladies were out duelled by a strong St. Lawrence College team who won the game by a score of 3-0.

The girls played five games in total, competing against five other teams in the tournament. Laurier Brantford fell 4-3 to Conestoga in their first game and lost a close game 1-0 in their second game to St. Lawrence College.

However, in their third game the girls found themselves on the right side of the eight-ball, winning an exciting game against Fleming College thanks to shoot out goals by Jacqueline Legere and Michelle Anger.

The win sent the team to the semi-finals where they were met by another tough opponent in Mohawk College.

The Golden Hawks found themselves down 2-0 going into the second period, when the team got timely goals by Lauren Maltby and Michelle Anger. The teams went into the third tied at two, until Maltby scored again in what would be the deciding goal. This victory sent the girls to the finals where they would lose another close game at the hands of St. Lawrence College.

Despite coming up short in the finals, the girls, like they have been all season, were very proud of how they played.

“We put in our 110% each and everyone one of us, every shift we were on the ice. I believe that we could have won the tournament because we were very consistent in the effort we put in throughout the day,” said Maltby.

“I was definitely happy with the way we played in the tournament; we worked hard and played together. Even though we didn’t win the tournament, we won because of the effort we all put in.”

The tournament was the team’s final one of the year and despite not bringing home a championship, the team showed a very competitive spirit throughout the season. Something that Maltby is very proud of.

“Even though we only had three tournaments together, I have had the privilege to get to know all the girls a lot more and the amount of heart, effort and dedication of this particular group of girls is the best I have ever seen,” Maltby said. “I would not change anything about the team; we were as successful as we were because of everyone’s passion for the sport of hockey and their drive to do their absolute best both on the ice and off the ice.”

Compared to last year’s failed attempt at putting a team together, this year showed great improvement and development through the course of the tournaments. Laurier Brantford should be proud of the girls’ effort this season, they played their hearts out each and every game and come next season, will hopefully compete again for a tournament title.