FIELD HOCKEY: Victoria's Libby Hogg named Player of the Year

Oct. 20, 2025 - University of Victoria defender Libby Hogg has been named the conference’s 2025 Field Hockey Player of the Year.

The conference announced its field hockey major awards and all-stars following the conclusion of the regular season on Sunday afternoon, which saw Victoria capture their seventh straight conference title in dramatic fashion.

Hogg was the heart and soul of a Vikes team that extended its conference dynasty, compiling a 6-1-1 regular season record. The defender was also a key offensive catalyst, tying for the conference lead in goals (5) and points (10).

The conference champion Vikes were well represented in the major award categories, with ​ Krista Thompson named Coach of the Year and Anais Chace earning Goalkeeper of the Year honours.

UBC’s Laurien Bruijning was named Rookie of the Year, while Calgary’s Julia McDermott received the Outstanding Contributor Award and will move forward as the conference’s nominee for the U SPORTS Gail Wilson Award.

Lelia Sacre was recognized as the Umpire of the Year.

The conference has also released its 2025 Canada West Field Hockey All-Star Team. Victoria and UBC each landed four student-athletes on the all-star squad, while Calgary added three.

2025 FIELD HOCKEY AWARD WINNERS

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR & PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Libby Hogg (Victoria Vikes)

First Year | Defence | Victoria, B.C. ​
​Faculty: Education

Fifth-year defender Libby Hogg displayed her dominance once again, proving why she's among the best players in the country. Hogg proved her ability to be a game changer on both defensive and offensive ends of the field. In addition to stellar defensive play, she was the key offensive driver for the Vikes, tying for the conference lead with five goals and 10 points. The five time Canada West All-Star earned her first senior national team cap this summer.

"Every day is a consistent effort from Libby, from her rookie season until now in her sixth season. She's performing well on both ends of the field, and you don't have the type of performances she does without years of hard work and dedication. Libby is calm and composed under pressure, and we've seen that transfer to her game at the international level as well," - Vikes Head Coach Krista Thompson

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR: Anais Chace (Victoria Vikes)

Third Year | Goalkeeper | Victoria, B.C. ​
​Faculty: Engineering

Anais Chace put up a wall for the Vikes all season long, allowing just one goal entering the final weekend of regular season play. Her conference-best five shutouts brought her goals against average to an incredible 0.21, leading the Vikes to their seventh straight conference championship. In addition to timely saves, Chace is a vocal leader in net for the Vikes, providing vital communication and consistency to an already strong defensive unit.

"Anais has continued to grow and improve each year while showcasing consistent performances. This year she has made key saves at key points of the game, while conceding very few goals over the last two seasons." - Vikes Head Coach Krista Thompson ​

Rookie of the Year: Laurien Bruijning (UBC Thunderbirds)

First Year | Midfielder | ​ Hilversum, Netherlands
​Faculty: Kinesiology

A skillful midfielder with outstanding technical ability, Laurien combines grit and determination with a relentless defensive work rate and an ever-present goal-scoring threat. Her vision, composure, and competitive drive make her a key contributor on both sides of the ball and an invaluable part of the team’s success.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR AWARD (GAIL WILSON AWARD NOMINEE): Julia McDermott (Calgary Dinos)

Forward | Fifth Year | Victoria, B.C. ​
​Faculty: Haskayne School of Business

Julia McDermott has exemplified the spirit of the Gail Wilson Award through her leadership, community engagement, initiative, and dedication to growing the game.

Throughout her five years with the Dinos, Julia has been more than a key contributor on the field — she has been the heart of her team’s connection to the community. She has served as the driving force behind numerous community initiatives, including the Dinos for the Cure fundraiser, which unites student-athletes, alumni, and fans in support of cancer research. She also led the Dinos' Community Day, introducing field hockey to youth across Calgary, and spearheaded the team’s Oktoberfest Fest, fostering deeper connections between the Dinos, the university, and the wider community.

An Academic All-Canadian with a 3.5 GPA, Julia has balanced excellence in the classroom with remarkable impact off the field. She has left a lasting impact on the Dinos program and the Calgary field hockey community, making her a truly deserving nominee for the Gail Wilson Award.

"Julia has made a measurable and lasting impact on our program and community through her consistent leadership and initiative. The events she’s led have introduced new athletes to the sport, strengthened community ties, and helped shape a team culture that values involvement beyond the field." - Calgary Dinos Head Coach Jenn Beagan

COACH OF THE YEAR: Krista Thompson (Victoria Vikes)

Krista Thompson wins coach of the year in her third season at the helm of the Vikes women's field hockey program. Thompson previously served as Vikes’ assistant coach for 26 years (1997-2022). During that time, she helped guide the Vikes to eight U SPORTS national championship titles and nine Canada West conference banners. She has continued the Vikes strong tradition of success as head coach, fostering a strong team culture and helping the team secure the 2025 Canada West championship.

"Krista continues to set the standard for coaching excellence not only in our conference but across the country," said Nick Clark, Director of Varsity Performance Sport at UVic. "Her ability to develop players, foster team culture, and consistently keep the program competing at the highest level is a testament to her leadership and dedication."

UMPIRE OF THE YEAR: Lelia Sacre

Sacre’s impact on Canadian field hockey extends far beyond the pitch. A respected FIH International Umpire and two-time Commonwealth Games official, Sacre is widely recognized for her exceptional ability to read the play and make the right calls—skills that once made her an outstanding player. As a Lead Educator for the Field Hockey Canada Officials Committee, she has been instrumental in developing the next generation of umpires, leading clinics, mentorship programs, and umpire briefings across the country. Her professionalism and deep knowledge of the game have garnered the respect of coaches and players alike, and make her a deserving recipient of the Canada West Umpire of the Year award.

"As a player, she had an uncanny ability to read the play and make the right pass. As an umpire, she has that same ability to read the play and make the right calls. She is also an educator of umpires, wanting to pass along her knowledge to the next generation of umpires.' - Krista Thompson, Head Coach Victoria Vikes

"This is a very deserving award for Lelia. There is a shortage of qualified umpires in the Calgary area, and Leila came out to Calgary, from Vancouver, for four games this year to officiate. Leila’s professionalism on the field is unparalleled, she has superior knowledge of the game and manages the flow of play in a way that maintains fairness and safety without impacting or slowing the game down. Leila is also dedicated to supporting mentorship and umpire education. ​ When we approached her in the summer to ask about ways we could better develop Calgary umpires, she was quick to offer her help and she designed and delivered a four part clinic for local Calgary umpires so that we can work toward developing more local officials that are able to support Canada West games here in the future." - Jenn Beagan, Head Coach Calgary Dinos

2025 Canada West Field Hockey All-Stars