Medway Cowgirls win first OFSAA Field Hockey title in school history

Olivia Thompson couldn’t think of a better ending to her final high school field hockey game.

The Grade 12 student at Medway High School scored the only goal in the OFSAA Championship game Saturday afternoon as the Cowgirls beat Saltfleet District High School from Hamilton 1-0.

“It’s incredible,” said Thompson, a co-captain of the Cowgirls.

“We all worked so hard all season for this moment, and we came together when it really mattered as a team and got it done.”

Midway through the first half, after a short corner gave Medway possession deep in their opponents territory, Thompson stepped inside the circle and fired a rocket from about 15 yards out to score the game’s only goal.

“I’ve been coaching 22 years and we’ve never made it to a gold medal game,” said Dana Kajan, co-coach of the OFSAA champions.

“To be hosting this and to come through for our fans, for our community, I’ve been crying since the second game today. It’s just unbelievable.”

Medway advanced to the final after shutting out Bishop PF Reding 4-0 in the morning semifinal.

The girls were the number eight seed coming in after losing the WOSSAA title match to Goderich, but they knew on their own home turf, they would be a force.

“We knew coming in we were better than eight and we were going to show every team out here that we were, and we did,” said Thompson.

Kajan was having trouble finding words for the effort put forth by her girls.

“They just put it all out on the field today,” said Kajan.

“They were just so excited to bring it home back with Medway hosting. We were ranked eighth and we came out on top. How sweet to do that on a home field.”

With a massive crowd cheering them on, Thompson was floored by the local support.

“I’ve never seen this many people watch a game for field hockey before,” she said.

“I think it’s incredible. We brought notice how much of a sport it is.”

Kajan agrees that the crowd support was phenomenal, and believes London is an underrated field hockey city.

“We don’t have a huge league to develop from but hopefully having this here, we have the facilities here and it’s such an incredible sport,” said Kajan.

“It changed the course of my life, and I’m hoping that even for one or two players here, that it will do the same for them and it opens up pathways for them. Hopefully with all our fans here, they see that as well.”

The victory gave Medway its first OFSAA field hockey gold medal.