Team B.C. won the first Canadian Invitational under-19 girls' lacrosse championships in Oshawa, Ontario. The girls' competition was played in conjunction with the women's world championships.
Team BC went undefeated throughout the tournament, finishing with a 4-0 record, including a 10-5 championship game victory over Team Ontario u-19 team on Wednesday. A team of 15 junior-aged girls made the trip, defeating two Ontario all-star teams en route to the inaugural gold medal. Temperatures hovered in the 38 degree celcius area with humidity making it feel much hotter.
Team B.C. players received the player of the game award in each of the four games played, including New Westminster's Lauren Stewart, Megan Kinna of Ridge Meadows, Ellie Delich of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam's Danita Stroup.
New Westminster players - Stewart (Western University), Mary McQueen (Long Island University) and Gaby Jones (American International College) - proved the strength of the team, said Jamie Stewart, who helped coach the team, along with Dan Stroup and Naomi Walser, who played on the Haudenosaunee team in the World Cup.
Players showing great offense during the tournament were McQueen, Stewart, Stroup, Delich, Bianca Santucci, Mackenzie Roland, Breanna Stroup and Chantel Arnold. Defensive all-stars were Nikita Bagg, Erika Mackenzie, Ashley Heisler and Savannah Phillips. Regan Eaton was the best goalie in the tournament. Unfortunately, Chalane Morrison was injured a day prior to the tournament and was unable to play.
