{"id":357,"date":"2017-09-18T21:23:09","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T21:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ucm.canadianultimate.com\/secure\/?p=357"},"modified":"2017-09-18T21:25:03","modified_gmt":"2017-09-18T21:25:03","slug":"canadian-ultimate-championships-2017-toronto-sweep-in-the-nations-capital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ucm.canadianultimate.com\/secure\/2017\/09\/18\/canadian-ultimate-championships-2017-toronto-sweep-in-the-nations-capital\/","title":{"rendered":"Canadian Ultimate Championships 2017: Toronto sweep in the nation’s capital"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written By: Kevin Underhill<\/a>
\n<\/em>Ultimate Canada Magazine \u2013 September 19, 2017<\/em><\/p>\n

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Toronto 6ixers gather for a cheer during the CUC finals in Ottawa in August. Purazar Bhadha\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WOMEN’S DIVISION<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When Capitals disassembled and the 6ixers formed from their ashes, the burning question was, \u2018how long will it take for the Toronto women\u2019s program to become truly elite?\u2019<\/p>\n

After defeating tournament favourite, Vancouver Traffic in the 2017 CUC finals, Jordan Meron is happy to put that question to bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a top level team,\u201d the 6ixers captain said. \u201cWe have expectations to do well and perform our best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heading into the tournament, Meron said the team was trying its hardest to keep the emphasis on themselves and avoid putting on any additional pressure. This was an attitude that she said the team kept when facing off against Traffic in the finals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to just go into that game and try our hardest,\u201d she said. \u201cWe really wanted to see what we were capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Jordan Meron is one of the captains of Toronto’s 6ixers. At the age of 27, she is one of the most experienced players on the young team. Purazar Bhadha\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 6ixers, now national champions, proved that they are capable of just about anything when they string together an amazing performance. Despite being underdogs, the young Toronto contingent delivered a near-flawless performance in the title match against a strong Traffic team.<\/p>\n

6ixers coach, Carla DiFilippo, said every opportunity to play in a championship game is important to the development of this young team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever you have the opportunity to play in a final, especially at CUC’s, you take full opportunity of it,\u201d DiFilippo said. \u201cWin or lose, playing in that final against such a talented team like traffic was going to make us all better players and coaches. It’s a win-win.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Anouchka Beaudry had an incredible 10-point performance in the finals and was the MVP of the women’s division. Purazar Bhadha\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 6ixers got star performances out of Laura Kinoshita, Sarah Bobak and Lauren Kimura. But the real game-changer came in the form of 19-year-old rookie, Anouchka Beaudry.<\/p>\n

The Quebecois import threw for eight goals and caught a pair as well. She commanded the backfield with the poise and calmness that you\u2019d expect from a ten-year veteran. But the stars can only shine when everyone else is doing their job. For many of these players, it was their first or second nationals and they stepped up in a big way.<\/p>\n

Meron said that despite leading for the bulk of the game, they kept the underdog mentality through to the very end.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing the two or three seed is really ideal. You are hungry to prove yourself but you don\u2019t have the pressure of a one-seed,\u201d Meron said. \u201cIt almost felt like we were coming from behind the whole game. I didn\u2019t really know the score for a lot of the game. When we won, I was overwhelmed with excitement.\u201d<\/p>\n

DiFilippo said leaders like Meron and Bobak are part of the reason the young team is making strides at the rate they are.<\/p>\n

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Sarah Bobak snags a goal in the first half of the CUC gold medal match in Ottawa. Purazar Bhadha\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe have amazing leadership on the team. Vets who know how to push themselves and their teammates. Vets that lead by example and work hard,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Now that the 6ixers have gone out and proved their elite status, they are turning their attention to the next step.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are going to use this momentum to continue to grow a strong team of Toronto women,\u201d Meron said. \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to the [USAU] Fall series and we\u2019re already talking about WUCC.\u201d<\/p>\n