South Huron’s U15A Sabres return home as provincial champions

The U15A South Huron Sabres are OWHA champions, returning home with their white hats after a nearly flawless run in the provincials from April 10 to 12. In back from left are assistant coach Dave Reschke, trainer Erika Foran, Hailey Maes, Lyla Hern, Brooklyn Dickins, Halle Reschke, assistant coach Kevin Dickins, Brianna Leppington, Lily Van Dinther, Nora Pearn, Erin Farquhar, Maggie Van Dinther, assistant coach Dave Farquhar and head coach Laura Barfett. In front from left are Ali Genttner, Lauren O’Shea, Lily Smale, Addison Mattucci, Ridley Kerslake, Laci Genttner and Charlotte Cole.

By Dan Rolph

It was a dominant season for South Huron’s U15A Sabres, but that season was capped off on the highest note imaginable when they became Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) champions.

The team competed in the provincial championships from April 10 to 12, which were hosted in communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area. They began the first day of the provincials facing off with Owen Sound, walking away with a 3-0 win, followed by another shutout against Oakville, toppling them 2-0.

April 11 proved to be the closest the team would come to a loss in the tournament, tying with the Whitby Wolves 1-1. The team then followed that game up with a 1-0 victory against Cambridge in overtime, which was enough to push them into day three.

South Huron played the Waterloo Ravens in the semi-finals on April 12, winning that matchup 2-0 to secure their spot in the final against the St. Cathrines Brock Badgers.

In a close final game, it was South Huron walking away with their white hats, winning 1-0.

Head coach Laura Barfett said it was a well-earned moment made possible by the hard work and dedication of the team.

“Everyone was just so ecstatic,” said Barfett. “It was unreal how the smiles on those girl’s faces were the biggest I’d ever seen them. It was a moment of pure joy.”

Barfett said the team was made up of two groups of girls who grew up on the ice together. With an emphasis on keeping positive and supportive of their teammates, she said those two groups clicked together like magic.

“It was like nothing I have seen before,” she said. “The team chemistry was unbelievable.”

Their chemistry proved to be the secret ingredient that not only took them all the way, but also made them one of the teams to beat throughout the province. By the end of their 2025-26 season, they had a record of 60 wins, three losses and five ties.

Barfett said the team’s goalie, Lily Smale, was a vital part of their success throughout the year. Smale allowed a total of 45 goals in the season, and she capped off that season with a nearly perfect set of games in the provincials, allowing just one goal.

“Lily Smale is an unbelievable pick of a goalie,” said Barfett. “She was always level-headed. She was ready to go. The second she stepped onto the ice it was go time.”

After their big win, the team returned home to an excited community that showed up to support them during an April 18 victory parade, which Barfett said was a perfect way to both recognize the team’s accomplishments and have a final moment together as a team before the girls continue playing in other centres.

“It was nice to see the girls rewarded after all the hard work they did,” she said. “Everyone is so glad to go out with a bang.

“I am riding this high for quite a while,” she added. “I have never been so proud of a group of young ladies.”