Toronto Lions FHC three peat at Big Apple International Indoor - First title for University of Virginia
February 20-21, 2010 - New York, USA
By Jawwad Qamar
New York, Feb 21: Toronto Lions FHC took their third straight Big Apple International Indoor Tournament title in the men’s division while it was the first women’s crown for the University of Virginia on the team’s second visit to the Big Apple.
The Lions defeated their hometown rivals the Toronto Titans FHC with surprising ease, 3 - 0, thanks to two goals by the ever elusive Devohn Teixeira. Sandwiched in between was a beauty by Jeewanjot Bath, and as always, there was the superb goalkeeping by the tournament MVP Shankar Premakanthan. Lions controlled this match from the get go – a far different story than their 3 - 2 semi-final win over New York City FHC in a physical contest that required a rescue by Devohn Teixeira’s second goal. In the other semi-final the Titans edged out Field Hockey Alberta 3 - 2 on the golden goal in sudden death overtime.
In the women’s final, the University of Virginia needed a second goal of the golden kind, from the tournament MVP Inga Stockel for a 3 - 2 win in sudden death overtime against the veteran Cougars from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Down 0 - 2 at the end of first-half on goals by Rachel Bloemker and Katie Grant, UOV started a great second-half comeback on a penalty corner goal by Stockel and taking over the control of the match. Paige Selenski leveled the score at 2 - 2 on a penalty stroke before the end of regulation. In the semi-finals, University of Virginia had an easier time defeating Team USA 2 - 1 and the Cougars blanked GOA Reds 2 - 0.
Kim Kastuk from University of Virginia and Hariette Tibble from University of Maryland were both declared Dita’s Most Promising Junior for their play over the weekend.
This was the last time the Big Apple Hockey International Indoor tournament was held at Riverbank State Park in New York. The organizers have decided to move the tournament to the Sportsplex in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, starting next year.
Director Nigel Traverso said in his closing remarks that “BAHF, Inc. were given a tremendous opportunity to expand and make this event even better, and is pleased to form a partnership with Field Hockey America.”
2010 Women's Champions - University Of Virginia
DITA's Most Valuable Player - Shankar Premakanthan, Toronto Lions FHC
