FH: Mollenhauer headlines major award winners

CALGARY - For the third time in her Canada West career, Victoria's Anna Mollenhauer has been named the conference's Field Hockey Player of the Year.

Mollenhauer highlights the major award winners announced by the conference Sunday. Joining her are Goalkeeper of the Year, UBC's Hannah Rumble; Rookie of the Year, Calgary's Isabella Green; Umpire of the Year, Lelia Sacre; and Gail Wilson nominee, Tiana Carroll.

In addition to the major award winners, the conference has also released its roster for the 2022 Field Hockey All-Star team. UBC and Victoria dominate the selections, each with five names on the list. Green is the sole Dino to make the team.

This weekend's announcement comes as the Victoria Vikes secured their fourth straight conference title (23rd overall). They will now move on to face the OUA Champion in a best-of-three series for the 2022 U SPORTS title on Nov. 3-7. The Vikes will host as the CW champion.

AWARD WINNERS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Anna Mollenhauer

Defender
​Fifth-year
​Victoria, B.C.
​Education

Anna Mollenhauer, a duel threat, has loomed larger than life on the field this year. The fifth-year defender helped guide the Vikes to an unbeaten 7-0-1 record in 2022, recording eight goals and helping the Vikes’ defence to five shutouts. A versatile asset on the field, Mollenhauer was effective at stopping opponents in their circle while creating scoring chances of her own, setting her team up for success.

The Victoria Vike also won the award in 2018 and 2021, and has helped guide her team to four conference championship titles in her time with the school. In addition, the Victoria, B.C. native was selected as the 2021 U SPORTS Player of the Year, 2019 U SPORTS national championship MVP and is a three-time All-Canadian and Top 8 Academic All-Canadian.

Mollenhauer, now a legend in CW Field Hockey, is also a member of the Field Hockey Canada Senior Women’s National Team.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Isabella Green

Defender
​First-year
​Duncan, B.C.
​Arts

Green came to the Calgary Dinos hot off a successful individual performance at the U18 FHC National Championship where she co-captained a Vancouver Island-based BC team. Her tireless work ethic, efficiency in both directions on the pitch and her leadership shown in the summer transitioned flawlessly to her first-year season with the Dinos.

Usually an attacker or midfielder, Green slid in to one of the most challenging defensive positions on the pitch, at left defence. Tasked with managing opponent’s strongest and often fastest strikers who are attacking on their forehand, Green didn’t seem phased. Starting and playing nearly every minute of every game was a testament to Green’s strength and fitness heading in to the Canada West season and her fearless, gritty nature made her a key cog to the Dinos defence.

Green rivalled with the best, tackling top players, many who have been through the recent Canadian Junior World Cup and NextGEN cycles, with full confidence. A demeanour on the pitch that carried maturity and experience is something any coach would value for a rookie stepping in to the backline and that was what Green delivered.

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR: Hannah Rumble

Goalkeeper
​Third-year
​Vancouver, B.C.
​Arts

Hannah Rumble played a key role in the Thunderbirds' surge this season. The third-year goalkeeper recorded shutouts in three of her five wins, as she helped her Thunderbirds to a second-place finish in the conference.

The third-year goalkeeper had a breakout season, elevating her game on and off the field. Her relentless energy between the posts shone through for her Thunderbirds and allowed her to come up with big saves in key moments. Rumble displayed a strong technical foundation and field hockey knowledge, as well as extraordinary athletic ability.

The stingy netminder's campaign can be summed up by her ability to not give up on any ball regardless of how dire the situation in front of her appeared.

GAIL WILSON AWARD NOMINEE: Tiana Carroll

Midfielder
​3rd Year
​Calgary, Alta.
​Kinesiology

Carroll has been named the Canada West nominee for the U SPORTS Gail Wilson outstanding contributor award. The Dinos midfielder is on track to graduate in the spring with an eyebrow-raising 3.94 GPA, while taking on a full course load and competing at the varsity level.

Carroll has already earned the Chancellor's Club Scholarship, a prestigious University of Calgary award. She also co-chairs the Ambassador's club, which is a group of scholars who are committed to giving back and making connections with the community.

Carroll has assumed a major role with the Dinos Field Hockey Program, advocating for the needs of her team while acting as a bridge between coaches and players. She's an active community volunteer, working with children with disabilities through Renfrew Educational Services. This work led her to a larger role within the organization, and she completed research to advance accessibility in sport venues in Alberta.

Carroll is now aiming to complete her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, while continuing her work with disabled children and staying active within the field hockey community.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Lynne Beecroft

Beecroft has been named the Canada West Coach of the Year for the sixth time in her career (1990, 1994, 2002, 2014, 2015, 2022). Beecroft has led the Victoria Vikes to three straight unbeaten seasons and four straight Canada West and U SPORTS titles.

In her time with UVic, Beecroft has guided the Vikes to 34 appearances at the U SPORTS national championships, hoisting 14 McCrae Cups. Beecroft’s teams have also captured 16 Canada West Championships.

UMPIRE OF THE YEAR: Lelia Sacré

The Canada West has been fortunate to welcome field hockey umpire Lelia Sacré to the fold this year as the 35-year-old has spent the better have of her international umpiring chapter in England following a teaching and officiating career. Recently returned to her home of Surrey, BC, Sacré brings a wealth of experience as a member of the International Hockey Federation (FIH)’s International Elite Panel of female umpires and that experience has been more than evident on the pitch.

Most recently, Sacré represented Canada as a member of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, her second following the 2018 Gold Coast games. Sacré has been a steward of the officiating world championing education, certification and community building for umpires in British Columbia, while she is also a member of the Field Hockey BC board of directors.

Sacré is a regular official in the Vancouver men’s and women’s premier leagues bring her calm and professional demeanor to the field every game. Sacré has not missed a beat since welcoming a son in January 2021 and brings her international experience to the Canada West both in officiating on the pitch and also preparing the U SPORTS umpiring brief and providing mentorship for her fellow Canada West officials.

2022 ALL-STARS