Ultimate Canada Magazine – October 24
The women’s division at this year’s CUUC was packed with action.
The weekend saw everything from incredible plays to major upsets. By the end, the Université Laval managed to regain their title by defeating Queen’s in the final becoming back to back champions and spirit winners.
Here are the starting seven players from the women’s division at university nationals:
Audrey Clothier – Université Laval
Clothier put on an ultimate clinic throughout the course of the weekend. Her consistency on the field is unparalleled, coupled with her ability to read any situation. Clothier was one of several dominant throwers on the Laval team, but her ability to direct her teammates was what set her apart from the rest. Her calm and patient demeanour on the field helped to slow the play when needed, coupled by her ability to make a split second decision made it impossible for the other team to predict what she would do next. Clothier won MVP of the finals for a second year straight as she helped carry Laval to back to back titles.
Geneviève Beaudoin – Université Laval
Beaudoin was ever-present for Laval. Displaying patience with the disc and the ability to get open on any reset cut upon demand. Beaudoin confidently controlled the play from the Laval d-line, consistently involved in helping generate the turn and using quick transitions on offense, often getting the disc every other pass. Beaudoin was an integral part of this Laval team that brought so much depth to the competition. Her athleticism and powerful throws make her a threat to any opponent she comes up against.
Lana Ramic – Queen’s University
A mainstay on the Queen’s d-line, Ramic crossed over the their power line throughout the weekend. It was easy to see why she was relied on so heavily, starting from her pulls to her dynamic movement through the handler space. Ramic was the first one down defence throughout the weekend and threw in countless assists for the break. The decisiveness of her cuts made her difficult to guard and her opponents had a hard time as she proved time and time again she could break any mark put on her.
Hannah To – University of Waterloo
Hannah To may have been one of the more underrated players from Waterloo coming into the weekend. She left any of that doubt behind quickly as she proved to be one of the most dominant handlers in the division. Her deadly left-handed throws left zones looking confused and her hucks put teams to bed. To was central on the o-line, flanked by Angela Yu and Miranda Ko, coming up with big possession saving layouts for her team as well. To was helped carry the Warriors to their first medal since 2004 as they took home the bronze.
Sara Mar – McMaster University
Mar was an integral member of the McMaster squad that pulled off several upsets after qualifying on the Friday of the tournament. In the game to go against Toronto, Mar established herself as one of the most powerful players in the division. Zone looks couldn’t stop her from give and going through the traffic and putting up perfectly placed hucks. On defense Mar put on the pressure with her check rarely seeing the disc. Through the weekend she continued to dominate, consistently getting open in yards of space and leaving defenders with their heads spinning. McMaster was able to upset in pool play and in the quarter-finals over Western, carrying them to a fourth-place finish.
Brittney Cooke – Carleton University
Carleton continues to improve, as the depth of their roster has increased every year. With players like Emily Scott and Tori Nielen, the Ravens are ever closer to pushing for a podium spot. However, a big whole will be left in their roster with the graduation of star cutter, Brittney Cooke. There is never a slow moment with Cooke on the field as she initiates movement and takes over if something is breaking down, her ability to read the play before something has happened is an asset that truly sets her apart from the rest. Cooke is dynamic and aggressive, attacking every disc on both O and D, and consistently coming up with huge catches whether the disc appears way above her head or is centimetres from the ground. Cooke is the linchpin to this Carleton team and losing her will undoubtedly have an impact.
Jessie Tsang – University of Waterloo
The Waterloo Warriors had several standout players this year including the likes of Jessie Tsang, who came to the team from Laurier. Tsang was flanked by a great group of teammates and had incredible on-field chemistry with Alyssa Mason, also from Laurier, which created numerous points for the team. When moments got tough for Waterloo, it was clear that Tsang was the true heart of this team. She led the team by leading by example both on and off the field. In her play, she was assertive in the cutting lanes, always managing to find open space in tight situations, and consistent with the disc. Tsang was one of the most reliable players on the field for Waterloo and was the glue the helped keep them together on route to their first podium finish since 2004.
Honourable mentions: Elizabeth Turcotte (Laval), Carla Rawson (Western), Wynne Gee (Queen’s), Alicia Todd (Lakehead), Alyssa Mason (Waterloo), Anne-Martine Doucet (Ottawa), Joyce Lei (McMaster).
