The OUA defending champion University of Toronto Varsity Blues field hockey team returns to the pitch this Sunday, September 17 as they look to once again dominate the OUA competition after a stellar exhibition campaign.

The Blue and White claimed their third consecutive OUA banner last season, marking their OUA-leading 32nd provincial title since 1971. With several key contributors from the 2016 squad returning and under the guidance of assistant-turned-head coach Cassius Mendonça, the Varsity Blues look to be heavy favourites heading into 2017.

Mendonça joined the U of T field hockey staff as an assistant coach in 2009 and helped the team to five OUA championships and one U SPORTS national title (2010) before becoming the seventh head coach in program history this past June. His familiarity with a roster filled with talent was made very clear this past weekend during the U of T invitational, where he guided the team to a 4-0 weekend in which the Blues outscored opponents 27-0.

"Although our coaching staff has changed slightly, our team expectations have remained the same and that is to win the OUA title so that we can be in the running for a national banner," said fifth-year co-captain Megan Johansen. "I'm confident that Cass will continue our team's tradition of excellence. He has really taken the time to figure out the individual strengths that we have and I think that the girls are excited to get some new perspective on the game."

Toronto's offensive weapons this season include Johansen, who scored five regular season and two post season goals in 2016, fifth-year forward Nicole Spring, who finished second on the team with nine regular season goals, and fourth-year forward Morgan Sleeth, who netted seven in the regular season and three in the post season for the Blues last year.

In the midfield, U of T boasts one of the best young talents in the province in second-year commerce major Rachel Spouge. Dressing in 11 regular season and seven playoff games in her rookie campaign, the dual-threat talent scored three total goals while also being a stalwart defensively. Spouge's incredible season was recognized with both OUA and U SPORTS rookie of the year honours.

The Blues will also feature a strong backline with third-year co-captain Julia Costanzo, second-year standout Emily Ziraldo and sophomore goalkeeper Elizabeth O'Hara.

Costanzo, who studies out of the University of Toronto Mississauga campus, also shares excitement with this seasons incoming players who are all set to make an immediate impact.

"I'm really excited about our roster this year," said Costanzo. "Our new players are adapting well to our system; Katherine Obst and Isabella Watson are establishing their strength in the defensive and midfield lines, while forwards Anna Costanzo, Shannon Snediker and Marisa Rostek have already started making major contributions to our offence. I think we've come together throughout the past three weeks of the preseason and I can't wait for our first games this weekend."
 
The Varsity Blues open their 2017 season this Sunday in Guelph, Ont., where they will challenge their perennial rival Guelph Gryphons before competing against the Waterloo Warriors later in the afternoon. Action is set to begin at 10:45 a.m.

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