A hat trick from Richmond field hockey standout Kaelan Watson powered Canada to a win over South Africa and first place at last week’s Four-National Invitational in Toronto.
The event was a tune-up for the 2015 Indoor World Cup, slated for Leipzig Germany in February. Canada entered two teams in the tournament as head coach John D’Souza attempts to finalize his roster of just 12 players headed to Europe. Watson was already a near lock to make the team. She only enhanced her chances by finishing second in tournament scoring with five goals. Not bad for a standout defender who typically plays at the back for the national outdoor team.
“This was a really good work out for testing things out,” says Watson. “Seeing what was going to work, what wasn’t, and I think we made the most of it.”
Her team also played to a draw against Argentina and defeated the U.S.
“In terms of confidence we’re happy to know that we’re on the right track not only just to work hard and be able to compete, but we’ll be able to be smart about it and bring our best game forward and be tactical when we head to the World Cup,” she added.
It was back in 2013 when the 25-year-old McRoberts graduate made a full-time commitment to Field Hockey Canada’s national team program after a standout CIS career at the University of Toronto. She was a four-time First Team All-Canadian and MVP at the 2010 nationals.
She made her international debut against Ireland and now has 31 international caps to her credit as a member of the outdoor team which is based out of Vancouver.
Toronto is home of the national team indoor program.
With files from Field Hockey Canada’s Shaheed Devji.
