Lauren Cardwell and her University of Toronto Varsity Blues team-mates basked in the glory of clinching the Ontario University Athletic Championship title in dramatic fashion.

The Bermudian midfielder helped the top seeds win the women’s field hockey championship for the 32nd time courtesy of a 4-1 penalty shoot-out triumph over hosts and defending champions University of York Lions in a hard fought final at Alumni Field last Saturday.

“Especially as a first year rookie coming into the team, the win feels great,” an elated Cardwell told The Royal Gazette. “I’m so proud of my team.

“Unfortunately last year University of Toronto lost in the finals to York University on our home turf and the upper years on the team motivated the team to get the title back, so winning on their home turf feels just that bit sweeter.”

The national player attributes her team’s success to a hard work ethic and commitment to training.

“We train everyday and as the assistant coach always says ‘practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes permanence’,” Cardwell added.

“We do everything as a team, whether it’s warming up or ball collecting after practice, so very quickly the team structure was made and playing as a team came to be our key to success and winning the OUA finals.”

The 18-year-old has made a seamless transition to this level and is among six new faces in head coach Cassius Mendonca’s team this season.

“Moving to a new city and settling into a new school was very easy as when heading into preseason in August before school had started, the team was already family to me,” Cardwell explained. “We support each other on and off the pitch and always hold each other accountable.”

With the regional title already under their belt, Cardwell and her fellow team-mates will go in search of more glory when they host Canada West champions University of Victoria Vikes in the best-of-three USport Canadian Championship for national bragging rights at Back Campus Fields from tomorrow until Sunday.

“University of Toronto has currently been the only university in Ontario to win this championship previously, but hasn’t been able to do so since 2010,” Cardwell said.

“I think we have a very good chance to do so this year hopefully as we are still continuing to train with the same intensity and determination.

“University of Victoria is looking to take the Usports title for a fifth time in a row. But I know we are always up for any challenge that comes our way and are determined to end the season taking it all.

“We have worked all season for this opportunity and will be giving it all that we have this weekend.”