{"id":391,"date":"2017-10-11T22:08:21","date_gmt":"2017-10-11T22:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ucm.canadianultimate.com\/secure\/?p=391"},"modified":"2017-10-12T17:42:42","modified_gmt":"2017-10-12T17:42:42","slug":"canadian-ultimate-championships-2017-cuuc-i-womens-division-preview-presented-by-vc-ultimate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ucm.canadianultimate.com\/secure\/2017\/10\/11\/canadian-ultimate-championships-2017-cuuc-i-womens-division-preview-presented-by-vc-ultimate\/","title":{"rendered":"2017 Canadian University Ultimate Championships: Women\u2019s Division Preview [Presented by VC Ultimate]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written By: Kevin Underhill<\/a><\/em>
\nUltimate Canada Magazine \u2013 October 11 2017<\/em><\/p>\n

According to Tawnya Gonzalez, earning an early spot at CUUC I has made a world of difference in how the Western Mustangs have approached their season.<\/p>\n

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Eastelle Ding jumps and makes a two-handed catch at CEUUC. Ed Kung\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Western won Steeltown and as a result was locked into CUUC I in the middle of September. Without resting on an early championship, Gonzalez said it opened up the rest of the season to focus on development.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce you are in, we could basically treat Easterns as one big practice weekend,\u201d the veteran coach said. \u201cEvery year we get more players who know what they are doing and have the base skills. This year we have been able to introduce more plays, more strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite Western losing veteran stars such as Christine Jurychuk and Agnes Chu, Gonzalez said that the Mustangs\u2019 roster is very deep. She also notes the addition of young talent in the form of experienced rookies.<\/p>\n

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Sara Salem lungs out for a forehand against Queen’s at CEUUC. Ed Kung\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cOur team is about half returners and some returning after being gone for a season or two,\u201d she said. \u201c\u2026but we do have a boat load of rookies. We have at least 6 or 7 that have made an impact. It\u2019s so exciting to see their development.\u201d<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll have to see if the extra time focused on bench management and development throughout the season will benefit the returning bronze medalists. Gonzalez knows there is tough competition throughout the division but is hoping Western can make a 2017 finals run this season.<\/p>\n

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Candice Lam delivers a flick against Ottawa at CEUUC. Ed Kung\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Canadian Eastern University Ultimate Championship title went to the University of Toronto this season. According to team captain, Alyne Azucena, their success can be reflected in a significant cultural change.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis team feels more like a family this year,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve put a huge emphasis on being a role player. I think it\u2019s really shown that we are all in this together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their season has been full of tight contests with the other major Ontario contenders. Azucena was very proud of how the team rose to the occasion in those close matchups.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe looked really good, our depth was showing through,\u201d the fifth-year veteran said. \u201cEveryone was running hard, getting Ds and shutting their person down. I\u2019m excited to see us put it together again this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Alyne Azucena reaches for a two-handed catch at CEUUC. Ed Kung\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the star power and club experience of Azucena, the Dos Santos sisters, Emily Tran and Nancy Yang leading by example, the younger players have a great deal to look up to. Azucena made mention of the youth movement on the team. She said the rookies have been playing a big role on and off the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of our rookies have been so enthusiastic and energetic. Not only on the field but as an excited sideline presence too,\u201d Azucena said.<\/p>\n

Will Toronto\u2019s combination of exciting rookies, dynamic stars and commitment to a new team culture be enough to vault them to a national title? These questions will begin to answer themselves on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

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Laval’s Elizabeth Turcotte fires a forehand upfield at the Coupe de Quebec last month. Ga\u00ebtan Dussault\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A team that the rest of the division can\u2019t overlook is the upstart program at the University of Laval. They have quietly been dominating the competition in Quebec and are really looking forward to testing themselves against some of these perennially podium-bound teams.<\/p>\n

Audrey St-Arnaud, first year Laval coach and veteran club and national team player said she thinks the team is certainly up to the challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have made really good progress in a short amount of time,\u201d Arnaud said. \u201cI\u2019m confident that we\u2019ll be ready to play with the best teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Arnaud, the team has a huge resume of experience from the club division. Between QUB, Qarma, mixed programs and junior club, almost every player on the team came into the university season with CUC experience under their belt. Not to mention how vital it is to have a stable veteran coach at the helm. Arnaud brings WJUC, WUGC, World Games and 10 years of club experience to the table when working with this ULaval squad. That can\u2019t be overlooked.<\/p>\n

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ULaval is undefeated heading into the 2017 CUUC. Ga\u00ebtan Dussault\/Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ULaval has been routing everyone east of the border and come into CUUC I with an undefeated record. Arnaud has been attempting to simulate tougher situations at practice in order to get her team firing for Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have played at CUC, they know what it means to play against tough competition,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been trying to make it challenging at practice with specific \u2018universe point\u2019 type situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

St-Arnaud acted as an assistant coach this year for the Quebec Club team, Iris. She said the experience she gained there has helped her be more prepared for practices and games. Despite Laval perhaps not boasting the same CUUC pedigree as some of the other programs, St-Arnaud has confident aspirations for the team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we have what it takes to make it into the top three. Of course, we\u2019d love to be in the finals but I think we should be shooting for top three.\u201d<\/p>\n