It was an experience they'll never forget.
After training hard for months leading up to the big event, the U14 Cowichan Cougars travelled to Moorpark, CA to compete in the 2024 Cal Cup May 24-27.
The Cal Cup is a major California-based, multi-age-group field hockey tournament that attracts teams mostly from California, but also as far away as Florida and, of course, B.C. The event is generally recognized as the last big event of spring competition for most of the U14 teams.
This year the Cougars had a chance to test their mettle against the Americans and while they didn't medal, they most certainly found success.
The Cougars, whose athletes play in a Duncan house league, took on the challenge of playing against seasoned, tournament-hardened opponents and placed right in the middle of the 15-team division with a 1-1-3 record.
“Coaching this group was an absolute honour," said head coach Peter Luff. "The growth they had as a team was a reflection of their commitment. This was the highest level of hockey this group has seen and I am so proud of how each player represented Cowichan.”
That, and it was super fun.
"The games were fun and competitive," said Cougars co-captain Kaila Luff. "Our team played really well for our first big tournament."
The three-day event opened for the Cougars with an early-morning 4-2 win over California's Saratoga Lightening. Cowichan wasted no time in getting on the board when Luff herself found the back of the net at the seven-minute mark. Mikayla Reynolds, Kaelyn Batty and Cassidy Hill all went on to score in the first half.
That afternoon, Keeper Ellwyn Skene made 27 saves or clears in net for the Cougars but the offence couldn't quite find their scoring touch, falling 3-0 to the eventual champions, the Coastal Clash from San Diego.
Picking up their socks, the Cougars pushed on the following day, playing to a high-scoring draw against the Dragon Runners before a low-scoring tie with the San Jose Fly. Cowichan popped off for six goals and were denied a seventh in the last minute in a controversial decision while the Dragon Runners benefited from two deflected own-goals from Cowichan and a penalty stroke goal called by the umpire. Batty scored a hat-trick while Hill added a brace. Reynolds also scored in the 6-6 draw.
With a record of 1-1-1, the Cougars met the Fly in the last game of pool play. It was an outright goaltending battle between the two teams, who arguably boasted the top tenders in the division.
Down 1-0 in the second half, Batty scored to tie the game and nearly scored again late in the game. The end result was a 1-1 draw.
Cowichan's 1-1-2 record was enough to move on and into the crossover round against the San Francisco Hawks on the final day of play.
The Cougars scored close to halftime when Hill knocked one into the goal, but the Hawks came up with the equalizer shortly thereafter.
Both teams battled not just each other but the California heat, as well, in the second but there were no goals to be found. The tie gave the young Cougars team eighth overall in the official 15-team U14 Division standings.
Cowichan Valley businesses Sarah Doyle Real Estate, Mount Sicker Lumber Company LTD, Paper Excellence Crofton and Matthuw Ronald-Jones Real Estate, provided financial contributions to ensure local athletes had this international opportunity.