Successful senior seasons see several veterans secure OUA honours

Burlington, Ont. – Several successful seasons from seniors helped steal the spotlight this year, whether in net, up front, or beyond the sidelines. Amidst their accomplished campaigns, multiple veterans are being honoured, including most valuable player Abby Warriner, who headlines the 2024 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) field hockey award winners and all-stars. 

Most Valuable Player – Abby Warriner, Guelph 

For the ninth time in program history, a member of the Gryphons has claimed the most valuable player honours, with Abby Warriner leading the charge for Guelph this season. 

Warriner, a fourth-year senior, is the strength and power in the midfield for the Gryphons in the sweeper position. She played a major role in defending and transitioning the play from defence to offence for the West Division topping squad, helping anchor an overall team effort that surrendered just five goals all year (third fewest in OUA).  

A two-time OUA all-star and U SPORTS all-Canadian, Warriner was also among the best offensive contributors in the conference this season. Her four goals had her in the top 10 across the league – just two goals off the lead – while her eight points overall ranked her 11th in the province.  

Rookie of the Year – Clara Gerardin, McMaster 

It was a debut season to remember for Clara Gerardin, as the OUA rookie of the year proved to be an excellent addition to the McMaster squad.  

Despite being in her first year, the social sciences student from Mississauga, Ont. showed quick leadership skills and maturity. An extremely hard worker, Gerardin displayed confidence in her abilities and it showed when it came to on-field results. Her consistent contributions helped the first-year midfielder become the first Marauder in program history to claim the OUA’s top rookie award. 

Goalkeeper of the Year – Deepi Gill, Toronto 

It was tough to put anything past Deepi Gill this season, and the Toronto Varsity Blues netminder has been rewarded with the OUA Goalkeeper of the Year award.  

Gill, who is the first Toronto goalkeeper to receive this conference recognition, went undefeated this season in her eight games between the pipes, including seven wins and one tie. She collected six clean sheets in those efforts, which led the league, and tied for fewest goals against in the conference with just two. Her miniscule 0.29 goals-against average, meanwhile, was also tops in the OUA. 

Her stout play in net has Toronto positioned to make another run at the OUA title, something Gill has done twice during her tenure. And now across 49 career games, the fifth-year goalkeeper from Brampton, Ont. has 24 clean sheets to her name.  

Gail Wilson Outstanding Contributor – Jade Lew, York 

As good as Jade Lew has been in net for the York Lions, she has been just as invaluable off the pitch, making her a deserving recipient of the Gail Wilson Outstanding Contributor award. 

President of the York Lions Varsity Sport Council for the past two seasons, Lew facilitates meetings, oversees the executive team, and logistical planning of initiatives. Among the initiatives undertaken are the HEROS Program, wherein young athletes are invited out to York games to see a day in the life of a varsity athlete; Relay for Life, wherein money was raised for Canadian Cancer Society through 12 hours of physical activity; and school lunch time clinics, wherein teams sign up to teach their sport to a school in the community during the lunchtime period.  

One of the hosts for the Lions annual varsity banquet earlier this year, Lew is set to graduate with a degree in biology this year. In addition to her sparkling off-field resume, the senior goalkeeper from Coquitlam, B.C. also earned seven shutouts across the past two seasons since taking over the starting role and is a big reason why the Lions surrendered just three goals all season long.  

Lew marks the 10th Lions recipient of Gail Wilson Outstanding Contributor award. 

Coach of the Year – Michelle Turley, Guelph 

For the sixth time in program history, and third personally, Guelph’s Michelle Turley has been tabbed as OUA coach of the year.  

Turley led her alma mater to a 7-1-2 record to pace the pack in the OUA West Division, which is nothing new for the program under her guidance. As part of her 21-year tenure as head coach, she has seen her squad claim five OUA titles along with seven national medals. And since taking over, the Gryphons have boasted a win percentage of over .760.  

The recipe for success this year, which featured a pair of all-stars, came in a balanced attack on both offence and defence, as the veteran bench boss saw her squad net 30 goals (2nd in OUA), while giving up the third fewest (5). 

This marks Turley’s first coach of the year accolade since 2015. 

MAJOR AWARDS 

Most Valuable Player – Abby Warriner, Guelph 
Rookie of the Year – Clara Gerardin, McMaster 
Goalkeeper of the Year – Deepi Gill, Toronto 
Gail Wilson Outstanding Contributor – Jade Lew, York 
Coach of the Year – Michelle Turley, Guelph 
Umpire of the Year – Alex Miles 

ALL-STARS 

Abby Warriner, Guelph 
Abby Thompson, York 
Elly Peters, Guelph 
Deepi Gill, Toronto 
Meagan Hobson, Waterloo 
Elise Piper, York 
Lauren Breakell, Queen’s 
Olivia Hledin, Western 
Maggie Mullins, Toronto 
Clara Gerardin, McMaster 
McKinley Kennedy, Toronto