LANGLEY, BC - Given the trajectory of
Hope Windebank's Golden Hawks career, it's no surprise to see her find even more success since graduating.
The Markham, Ont. native, and recent Laurier alum, made the women's soccer team as a walk-on in her first year back in 2018. Fast forward to last season, she was named an OUA all-star and the team's MVP.
"There are games that I played where I wasn't one of the best players on the field, and coaches told me that, and I respected that," she recalled. "I worked hard to get those minutes. Then, coming out into my fifth year, I was able to start."
Windebank led the team in assists (four) and co-led in goals (three) in 2022.
This summer, she checked off the one box missing from her resume; a league championship. And she did it at the highest level of amateur soccer in Canada.
On August 5, Windebank and Markham-based club Alliance FC United defeated NDC Ontario in the League 1 Ontario final.
"It was definitely a crazy game," said Windebank, and she might just be underselling it. After surrendering the opening goal early in the second half, Alliance FC trailed until the last minute of added time, when Cassie Chan found the back of the net to tie the match.
The game-winner came in the 101st minute of extra-time when Hannah Chown headed in a Jenny Wolever free kick to secure the victory.
"We were hungry to win. It was redemption for us this year," said Windebank. Though she suited up for the North Mississauga in 2022, many of her teammates were a part of the Alliance FC team that lost to NDC Ontario in the previous season's finals.
NDC stands for National Development Camp, and their players typically enjoy greater access to resources than most other League 1 teams. In fact, Alliance FC were the only club to win a match against them over the past two seasons.
"It was a lot of emotion, hard work, dedication, and teamwork that got us to where we are," said Windebank. "I couldn't be more proud of the team."
The reward for winning the Provincial Championship was a trip to Langley, B.C. to compete in the 2023 Inter-Provincial Championship. Facing tough competition, Windebank's squad fell just short of a third-place finish, losing a tight match to hosts Unity FC.
"It was definitely exciting to compete against the top teams in the country," said Windebank. "They proved to us that they deserve the win, but I also feel like we deserved it. At the end of the day, it wasn't the result we wanted, but it was nice to get to go to nationals."
Windebank says she's "always had a dream" to play professionally in Europe, but for now, her focus is on pursuing her career. Having earned her BA in Criminology, Windebank plans on becoming a paralegal.
Her love of the sport runs deep and she's not ready to close the door on it just yet. She plans on returning to League 1 for the 2024 season and hasn't ruled out the pro dream, either.
"Since I've graduated from Laurier, I now see myself working a lot and not having the time to go overseas. But if an opportunity arises and I like it, then I'd accept it."
