After years of being a contender, the U22 Silvertips major female lacrosse team, which includes four Cochrane players, is celebrating its first provincial championship.
They entered provincials with a perfect 16–0 regular season but dropped their opening game 8–5 to the Calgary Cardinals. Decisive wins in their next two games set up a gold medal rematch with the Cardinals.
This time, the Silvertips took control early, jumping out to a 2–0 lead and never looking back, sealing an 8–4 victory to claim the title.
Head coach Robin Finley credited goaltender Kaylee McKay—one of four Cochrane players on the roster—for anchoring the win. McKay faced 64 shots in the final.
“Kaylee is a fifth-year player, and she was by far the star of the game,” said Finley. “We tried to keep shots to the outside, and she stopped everything that came her way and gobbled up the rebounds. She outperformed the other goalie, who left after two periods—and that goalie is on Team Canada. It was a pretty big performance, and not the first time she’s done it this year.”
Ruby Irwin, a veteran defender from Cochrane, wrapped up her final season with the team.
“She’s a strong, fierce defender who owns her job,” said Finley. “Playing defence isn’t always glamorous—but it is on our team.”
Cochrane's Hannah Dick, 17, was the team’s top scorer during the regular season.
Finley also singled out rookie Tessa Bates, a defender and transitional player, as “the greatest find” in this year’s draft.
Heading into this weekend’s win in Ponoka, the Silvertips had captured two silver medals and a bronze in the past three provincial championships.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Finley. “We’ve let a couple slip through our fingers, so this feels great. We’ve built a program and a culture where players want to be.”
The team is proud to be part of the Rockyview Lacrosse Association but moved its home base to the Max Bell Centre from Airdrie in 2022 to provide a more central location for players across the Calgary region. They have their own dressing room—rare in the league—complete with individual lockers, name tags, team helmets and gloves.
The high-calibre coaching staff includes a U Sports assistant coach and a former Team Canada coach.
“Our program is very comparable to a Junior A boys’ program,” he said.
A new league draft system—designed in part by Finley when he joined the club in 2019—has allowed them to draw talent from beyond traditional boundaries.
“We talk to all the local eligible players to see if they want to play for us,” he said. “Over the last few years, very few have said no.”
He believes the team’s professional-style operation and tight-knit culture make a difference.
“We run it like a professional organization, and I think that attracts players. They know they’re going to come here and learn.
“But the biggest contributor is our players themselves. We call it Silvertips culture—we treat each other like a family. Like any family, we have squabbles, but we’re focused on our goals: developing players and getting good results. We hope this is the first of many championships.”
Finley thanked the Rockyview Lacrosse Association for its support.
“They let us run our program, and I think we’re doing a good job. We have a great management team, and the association’s happy with how the program is going.”
Half of Team Alberta, seeking a three-peat at the national championship in Halifax, Aug. 20 to Sept. 1, play for the Silvertips. Finley is head coach and Cochrane's McKay, Dick, and Bates are members of the team.