Carey's clutch performance

Richmond athlete scores winner as UBC nets national field hockey title

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

She capped her university field hockey career Sunday by scoring the winning goal on penalty strokes to give the University of B.C. a 1-0 win over the University of Victoria Vikes in the national final. And she became an aunt for the first time this week when her sister gave birth to a healthy boy.

Life is pretty good at the moment, which is deserving especially considering the challenges the Richmond woman has faced to overcome serious injuries. She still suffers bad headaches.

The field hockey season had barely begun two years ago when the talented former Hugh McRoberts Striker broke her collar bone while playing for the junior national women's team during an exhibition match against the senior squad. And while the injury never did heal properly, she fought through it to play for the juniors in a tournament played in Argentina.

Then, just prior to the end of the university season during which she was selected a national team all-star, she broke her nose and suffered a third degree concussion and was unable to play for the UBC during the Thunderbirds' run to the national title.

Carey, 23, was a rookie when the Thunderbirds also won the national crown in 1999, but the victory last weekend in Oakville, Ont. was probably more satisfying. It was the defender's fifth and final season and going out on top was a fitting denouement to what has been an impressive career.

"It was awesome," she said. "I'm still in shock."

Carey's winning goal came on the eighth penalty stroke of the match which was played under a heavy downpour severely limiting the scoring chances between the two highly-skilled sides. The teams were scoreless through regulation and extra time and tied 4-4 after the first round of penalty strokes.

"Playing UVic, generally it comes down to who wants it more," she said. "This one was a little different with the field like a puddle. It was very hard to play in. You'd maybe hit the ball five to seven metres and then it would stop in a puddle."

She said everyone was on edge going to strokes because anything can happen. But when she walked up to take her shot she wasn't thinking about the outcome, only to get the ball on the net.

"Lucky for me it went in."

Thunderbird head coach Hash Kanjee praised Carey for her commitment to the game.

"If I were to pick our most consistent player it would be Alisa," he said. "For her not to make any of the all-star teams is silly but she was recognized in the Tournament XI team and I'm happy about that.

"It shows her total commitment to her teammates. She always led by example and was a great inspiration."

Kanjee said in many respects Carey was like an assistant coach. She was the on-field quarterback who made all the right decisions and seemed have an innate ability to know what needed to be done, he said.

"When Alisa was stepping up to take her shot I was thinking `Wouldn't it amazing on her final act if she stuffed the ball into the back of the net?'" Kanjee said. "She was very calm. Nothing was going to deter her."

Carey, who is a member of Canada's development team, said the injuries have helped make her a stronger person. But they've also given her an even clearer perspective of what's important to her. That includes coaching.

"I love it," she said.

"It's something I'll never stop."

"She's never going to be too far away from a field hockey stick," agreed Kanjee.

"I personally think she has the ability to play for Canada (senior team) but regardless she'll be very much involved in helping kids learn and enjoy team sports. That's Alisa."

Carey was one of three Richmond Field Hockey Club graduates to play in last weekend's final. Mindy Cohen was also a member of the winning University of B.C. side and still has a year of eligibility remaining and will maintain that link for aspiring local players next season. Lauren MacLean played for the University of Victoria and, like Carey, has now completed her five years of eligibility.

Both Carey and MacLean received "Players of the Game" honours in two of their four matches, including the final. Besides being selected a Tournament XI team member, MacLean was also recognized as tournament MVP.

Carey, Cohen and MacLean all began their field hockey careers with the Richmond Field Hockey Club. They played for the Eagles, a highly-successful club team that earned numerous provincial honours.

Carey and MacLean went on to represent Canada at the 2001 Junior World Cup in Beunos Aires, Argentina and MacLean joined the senior squad last summer at the Pan-American Games.

Carey now coaches the Richmond Flickers and also at the provincial team level. Last summer she co-coached the B.C. Under-16 girls' team to the gold medal at the national Under-18 championships.

"For Alisa and Lauren five exciting years ended Sunday in a thrill-packed championship game," said Carey's dad Lance, who was instrumental in organizing the Richmond Field Hockey Club.

"What a wonderful career they have fashioned. What is more, they continued the tradition of the Richmond Field Hockey Club by aspiring to combine high-level sporting goals within the context of post-secondary education."

Richmond Field Hockey graduates Alisa Carey and Lauren McLean played their final university