The York University Lions field hockey team wrapped up round robin play at the Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Invitational Championship on Saturday against the five-time defending national champion UVic Vikes. 

The final preliminary-round match served as a tune-up for both teams after Friday's results settled the matchups for Sunday's medal round matches. With wins by the Vikes and Lions on Friday, they both moved to 2-0 on the tournament and clinched their spot in Sunday's final, while Waterloo and UPEI – Saturday's second game and the round robin finale – will precede them in the bronze medal game.

The Canada West champs drew first blood halfway through the opening quarter, as forward Madeline Middlestadt found the ball on her stick and fired it home to give her team a 1-0 lead. The Vikes out-shot the host Lions 3-2 in the opening frame and took that one-goal lead into the second.

That lead was extended in the second, courtesy of Anni Kleinschmidt, who doubled the lead with her third goal in as many games in the tournament, having scored in all three round-robin games. The native of Hamburg Germany made it 2-0 with 11:16 to play in the half.

The Vikes next best chance came on the final play of the opening half on a penalty corner that ended up on the stick of Melanie Robertson, who was absolutely robbed by Lions keeper Jade Lew, who made a spectacular sprawling save to keep the Lions in the game at the half, only down 2-0.

Victoria added some much-needed insurance in the third on a beautiful re-direction from Amanda Adams, who tipped a shot past an unsuspecting Lew to make it 3-0 and essentially put the game on ice.

A goal in each of the first three quarters was enough as the Vikes blanked the Lions 3-0 to finish the round robin undefeated at 3-0.

LOOKING AHEAD:

These two teams will do battle once again Sunday at 1:00 pm, with the winner being crowned national champion. The game will be streamed on CBC Gem, and admission is free.