Mavericks named to Team Ontario
The Peterborough Mavericks field hockey program is starting to make its mark provincially.
In its first three years, Lizzie Hood last year was the only player to make Team Ontario for the Canadian championships. This year, three girls made the cut.
Abby Hetherton and Vanessa Markland, members of the Mavericks U15 team made Team Central Ontario U15. Kari Lynde, of the Mavericks U18 squad, will play for Team Central Ontario U18.
Ontario will field three teams in both divisions for nationals from July 12 to 16 at the University of Toronto.
Hetherton, 14, is an original Maverick. This was her first time trying out for Team Ontario.
“(Mavericks coach) Amy (Hollingsworth) told me I was good enough to tryout,” said Hetherton, who is entering Grade 10 at Holy Cross.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it because there were a lot of girls there. I was really excited.”
Markland, 14, a goalie, is in her second season with the Mavericks.
She was thrown into playing goal and liked it. She went on to play net for the St. Peter Saints, helping them reach OFSAA. She is also entering Grade 10.
“I expected there to be a lot of people trying out who would be a lot more experienced than I was,” Markland said.
“I was really excited. I didn’t really know what to expect.”
Lynde, 16, a fourth-year Maverick, is one of the younger U18 players. She is entering Grade 12 at St. Peter.
“I grew a lot as a player this year and got to experience a higher level of competition when my high school team went to OFSAA,” Lynde said.
“I kind of thought I could run with the big dogs so I went to (tryouts) to give it a shot. I didn’t expect to make it just because of the area since all those girls have played for so long. I definitely saw that if I gave it my all I might have a shot.”
All three found out by email they’d made the team.
“I was driving with my sister and I made her pull over so she wouldn’t be scared if I started cheering,” Lynde said.
Ontario will also field teams representing East and West Ontario.
“For them to earn a spot on the Central Ontario team is significant because of the concentration of club players who are in the GTA,” Hollingsworth said.
British Columbia will also field three teams with Alberta, Quebec and Prince Edward Island also represented.
Hollingsworth said her girls may not be as experienced as some of Ontario’s top players but they make up for it in other ways.
“There was no question in my mind these girls had what it takes to play at a provincial level,” Hollingsworth said.
“What the Maverick kids don’t have in the little individual finesse things they have in spades in athleticism. These girls are multi-sport athletes.”
Hetherton also plays ice hockey and lacrosse, Lynde ice hockey and softball and Markland ice hockey.
“They have fabulous skill-sets but they are playing against girls who have been culturally involved in the sport since they were little. Our club is only four years old,” Hollingsworth said.
“These girls are workhorses. You can have all the finesse in the world but if you’re not willing to put in the time and the work then a coach isn’t going to take you. I believe strongly that’s what they’ve done to differentiate themselves.
“They’re also have a tremendously competitive mindset. You can coach all kind of things but you have to have something burning in the belly to bring to the pitch every day. That’s what these girls have. That’s why it’s such a pleasure to coach them. I’m over the moon excited for them to experience the next level.”