CW Field Hockey: 2025 Season Preview

Sept. 4, 2025 - When the ball drops on a new Canada West field hockey season this Saturday, Calgary and UBC will once again look to end Victoria’s six-year reign over the conference.

The Vikes extended their dynasty in 2024, capturing a sixth straight Canada West crown and sixth consecutive national title.

Making it seven won’t be easy. Last year’s race for the CW banner was one of the tightest in recent memory, with UBC forcing a winner-take-all showdown on the final day of the regular season. Victoria prevailed 3–0 in that match to retain the title.

The Vikes then swept through the revamped Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Championship, earning the program’s 17th national banner with a 1–0 win over host York in the gold medal game.

Despite graduating several key players, Victoria returns veteran leadership and a strong core of third-year student-athletes. Four-time Canada West All-Star and two-time U SPORTS All-Canadian Libby Hogg is back for her final season, anchoring a defence that recorded 10 shutouts in 2024.

UBC, led by reigning Coach of the Year Geoff Matthews in his second season, will be determined to dethrone their West Coast rivals. The Thunderbirds will look for another standout campaign from Sydney Le, who burst onto the scene last season by earning the conference's Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honours.

Coming off a winless campaign, Calgary hopes an extra year of experience will spark improvement from their young roster. With 17 players in their first or second year of eligibility, the Dinos will still be one of the youngest team's in the nation, but second-year head coach Jenn Beagan is excited about the changing culture and growth she's seen from the program.

On the field, the Dinos will once again be led by fourth year defender Isabella Green, who will be counted upon to provide a steady presence in the Calgary midfield.

The regular season features 12 total contests, beginning with UBC visiting Calgary this Saturday and Sunday. Victoria opens their title defence the following weekend, also in Calgary.

Each team plays eight games, facing each opponent twice at home and twice on the road. The season wraps with a pivotal series between UBC and Victoria, hosted by the Vikes on Oct. 18 and 19.

The regular season champion will be crowned Canada West champion and advance to the Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS National Championship.

View Canada West field hockey championship history.

View the complete 2025 Canada West Field Hockey schedule.

TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW

Victoria Vikes

2024 Regular Season Record: 5-1-2

Team Outlook: The Vikes are coming off their sixth-straight Canada West and U SPORTS titles in 2024 and look to continue their momentum in 2025. The Vikes lost some senior leadership at the end of 2024, but they return a solid core of third year and up players that will bolster the on-field performance. ​

Key Performer: Libby Hogg
​Defender | Fifth Year | Victoria, B.C.

Libby Hogg, a four-time Canada West All-Star and two-time U SPORTS All-Canadian, returns for her final season in 2025. An onfield captain for the Vikes, Hogg looks to help the Vikes to another Canada West and U SPORTS title in 2025. Hogg scored two goals and anchored the Vikes' defence in 10 shutouts in 2024.

UBC Thunderbirds

2024 Regular Season Record: 5-1-2

Team Outlook: Falling just shy of ending Victoria's streak of Canada West Championships in 2024, the T-Birds are coming off their best regular season since their last conference title in 2017. With the return of several key contributors, UBC is looking to take the next step in their second season under 2024 Coach of the Year, Geoff Matthews.

Key Performer: Sydney Le
​Forward | Second Year | North Vancouver, B.C. ​

Finishing her debut season as the conference's goal scoring leader, Sydney Le was named both the Canada West's Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year. The North Vancouver product was also the recipient of the Joyce Slipp Award as U SPORTS Rookie of the Year.

Calgary Dinos

2024 Regular Season Record: 0-8

Team Outlook: The Dinos will once again be one of the youngest teams not only in Canada West, but the whole of U SPORTS with a total of 17 players in either their first or second season of eligibility. With a full season under her belt, second-year head coach Jenn Beagan is already seeing the culture change and grow around this program and exciting times are ahead for the Dinos.

Key Performer: Isabella Green
​Defender | Fourth Year | Duncan, B.C.

A returning three-time All-Canadian, Isabella is a dynamic and explosive player that will provide stability and consistency through the Dinos' midfield.