The University of Toronto Varsity Blues field hockey team are the 2026 OUA field hockey champions, defeating the York Lions 2-1 in a shootout on Sunday (Oct. 25) afternoon at Alumni Field in Toronto.
The Varsity Blues added another golden chapter to their storied history, capturing the program's 35th OUA championship and first since 2023. Toronto's third OUA title in the past five seasons builds on a tradition of excellence that includes eight consecutive championships from 1963 to 1970, nine straight from 1971 to 1979 and five in a row from 1997 to 2001.
Second-year goalkeeper Mary Yang was named player of the match, making four saves in regulation and another three in the shootout. Rounding out an excellent year between the pipes for the Calgary native.
In a stalemate between two fierce rivals, U of T broke through in the 52
nd minute as fourth-year forward Ava Airnes scored for the second time in as many games this weekend to give the Blue and White the 1-0 advantage. Toronto was stout on defence, playing aggressively and doing an excellent job at preserving the lead.
With time close to expiring, the Blues stopped a Lions penalty corner with the final horn in sight. After getting another opportunity to take a penalty corner. Katie Tye tied the game with a high shot to send the game to a shootout.
The shootout was back-and-forth with Yang and Lions goalkeeper Ella Ciesielski standing tall. In the fifth round the shootout was tied at two goals each with Danielle D'Silva and Vanessa Marques scoring for the Blues and Keira Ho and Gates McAllister scoring for York. In the fifth round, Yang came up with a big stop on Abby Thompson. With the game on the stick of fourth-year defender Kirsten D'Silva she fired home the championship-winning goal, sending the Blues into celebration.
Now, U of T turns their attention to the 2026 U SPORTS Field Hockey Championship in Waterloo. The championship is hosted by the Waterloo Warriors and runs from Nov. 4-8.
Semi-Final #1: Saturday, Oct. 24 – York 2 vs. Guelph 0 (OT)
Semi-Final #2: Saturday, Oct. 24 – Toronto 2 vs. Waterloo 0Â
Bronze Medal Game: Sunday, Oct. 25 – Guelph 2 vs. Waterloo 1 (SO)
Gold Medal Game: Sunday, Oct. 25 – York 1 vs. Toronto 2 (SO)
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