The University of Toronto Varsity Blues field hockey team's title defence kicks off this Sunday, September 20 as they travel to Guelph, Ont., for two games against the host Gryphons and the Waterloo Warriors.

Last year's OUA championship final rematch between Toronto and Guelph is set for 10:45 a.m. The Blues are on the road for a month before they return to Back Campus and host three games, Oct. 17-18.

The University of Toronto is also the proud host of the 2015 OUA championship, October 30-31, at Back Campus. The CIS championship heads West to the University of Victoria, November 5-8, in 2015.

Despite the graduation of top players like 2015 Pan Am bronze medalist Alex Thicke, as well as Heather Haughn and Rachel Fackoury, the OUA defending champions are back and more confident than ever.

"We were one game away from a perfect season last year," said John DeSouza, now in his 10th season as Varsity Blues head coach. "The game we lost was for the CIS banner. It was a really tough loss but we are better for it. This year will be about playing as a team and making sure that we improve every game. This is a special group of athletes and these kinds of teams don't come around very often. We have a chance to do something special and I am excited to see what is in store for us."

Fifth-year veteran Amanda Woodcroft is back to lead Toronto's midfield. The Waterloo, Ont., native also won a bronze medal as a member of Team Canada at the Pan Am Games this past summer. Woodcroft, a three-time CIS all-Canadian, is the reigning OUA and CIS player of the year after a breakout season in 2014.

She will rely heavily on her sister, sophomore Nikki Woodcroft, as well as incoming rookie Nicole Godman to control U of T's transition game.

Returning after one-year hiatus's is fifth-year forwards Tegan Stairs and Ally Evanyshyn. A two-time CIS all-Canadian, Stairs ranked third in the OUA with nine goals in 2013 and is coming off a year of training with the Canadian national team. Evanyshyn led the Blues for three straight seasons and topped the OUA with 15 goals in 2013.

U of T also returns a strong defensive corps, led by 2014 OUA leading scorer Alison Lee. Lee tallied a league-high 13 goals last season, earning CIS all-Canadian honours in the process. She will rely on fellow veterans Emma Wingrave and Taylor Fleck to help mould incoming twin sister standouts Emily and Hilary Ziraldo into the Blues style of play.

The Blues also boast rookie goalie Sara Fredo between the pipes this season. The Burlington, Ont., native has trained with the senior national team and was an under-19 indoor national team reserve in 2015.
 
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