As puck drop for the 2026 Miller Waste U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship quickly approaches, a Warriors team, including three nationals returnees, and a tournament newcomer, all get a crack at conquering the ultimate quest for U SPORTS supremacy. 

A quartet that carries the spirit of the black and gold with each step they take - for Carly Orth (Bolton, Ont./Humberview Secondary School), Tatum James (Stratford, Ont./Northwestern Secondary School), Kara Mark (New Hamburg, Ont./Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School and Victus Academy), and Katina Duscio (Kitchener, Ont./St. Mary's High School) - teamwork, community, and representing those closest to them, defines this nationals appearance. 

Orth, the Bolton, Ont. native, needs no introduction. The reigning OUA West Player of the Year capped off her provincial career by leading the team in points yet again in 2025-2026. In 26 games, she tallied 22 points, with four powerplay goals, and two game-winners. Her overtime goal against the Toronto Varsity Blues on November 15 - a game which would not have reached the extra frame if she had not tied it with 19 seconds left – stands out as one of the glowing moments of the season. 

From that afternoon in Owen Sound, until January 24 - a span of 70 days - the Warriors did not lose a single game. Orth's late efforts kick-started the greatest run of results the program has seen on record. 

With three assists in three games in Elmira at last year's tournament, Orth has embraced everything a senior season could offer a legend in the black and gold. 

As she mentions, "The team and I are really looking forward to this tournament. We always get a great crowd and lots of support, so it's very fun to play in our community with our friends and families behind us and cheering us on." 

With the attention to detail she displays on the ice, she also values the detail displayed behind the scenes, and the tight-knit culture Warriors Athletics and Recreation as a whole have curated, in hosting this event in consecutive years. 

"The fans, community, team, volunteers, and staff all make this happen. We're so excited to play for them," Orth adds. 

Orth wraps up her illustrious provincial career with an MVP award, a McCaw Cup title in 2024, and two selections to the OUA's first team All-Star list. Her 36 goals across her five seasons place her third on the Warriors all-time list. 

Nationally, Orth was also named to the U SPORTS All-Canadian team in 2025 and picked up a silver medal at last year's championships in Elmira. 

James, the Stratford native, also needs no introduction. A member of the black and gold for the past six seasons, she is the all-time leading goal scorer in Warriors history, breaking former teammate and Warrior legend Leah Herrfort (Palmerston, ON/)'s previous record of 42 goals. James scored her 43rd career goal back on January 31, when she tied the game at one on the power play against the Laurier Golden Hawks. She would finish her OUA career with 20 goals on the advantage. 

Perhaps the most coveted individual record a player could amass, James' work ethic and personality have been shaped by those around her throughout the past six years; way more than any record ever could. That is purely the team-first player she has always been. 

"I didn't even know that I broke the goal record until coach made an announcement in the room after the Laurier game," James says. "This all would not have been possible without the amazing players and coaches by my side. I have made incredible friendships, and the experiences I was fortunate to have in Waterloo have shaped me into the person I am today," she adds. 

With her final season of OUA competition in the books, James finishes her career with 97 points in 120 games, the all-time Warrior goal record with 47, an OUA second team All-star spot in 2023, a McCaw Cup championship in 2024 

Skating into her third national championship tournament, James was named to the tournament's all-star team in her first appearance in 2024; with the Warriors taking a fourth-place finish in Saskatoon. She would follow up with the national silver medal last season; ecstatic for what this upcoming weekend could also bring the team. 

"We are very excited for nationals. Our team deserves to be there," says James. "We can't wait the be surrounded by all the Warrior fans and interact with the community. With the success our program has had over the past four years, we are well prepared both mentally and physically for the tournament." 

"We have been to nationals the past two years and know what it is like to play under pressure, and win big games," she adds. 

For both Kara Mark (New Hamburg, Ont./Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School and Victus Academy) and Katina Duscio (Kitchener, Ont./St. Mary's High School), their hometown spirit, passion for the team game, and innate athleticism put them both in prominent roles early in their Warriors careers. 

We all witnessed Kara Mark's (New Hamburg, Ont./Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School and Victus Academy) 2022-23 season heroics, in which she was named to both the OUA and U SPORTS All-Rookie teams. Two seasons later - and she has become a household name – receiving the OUA's Goalie of the Year award for 2024-25.  

Duscio, coming off her debut season in the OUA – after transferring from the NCAA's St. Lawrence Saints – was recently named a provincial first team All-Star herself, scoring 19 points in 25 games; third among all OUA defenders. 

Mark, a native of New Hamburg, Ont., and Duscio, a native of Kitchener, are no strangers to each other. Former teammates with the OWHL's KW Jr. Rangers, they have been reunited, with Duscio's return to the Region; and are about to take to the national stage together. 

"It's super exciting to be heading back to Elmira," Mark mentions. "The Elmira community and the Waterloo student body were so supportive last year, and really brought the energy for us. It was an electric environment that I will never forget." 

Mark's career in between the pipes with the Warriors to date has been inspiring. Alongside the aforementioned accolades, her 52 wins in 73 appearances make her the winningest goaltender in Warriors history. Her goals-against-average of 1.81 placed her fifth in the entire province this season, and her 14 wins, third in the province. 

Through it all, when asked about her passion for the black and gold, the community she grew up in and the support she possesses for her teammates, stands out significantly. 

"It honestly means everything to me. Growing up here and playing for my hometown team is such an honour and privilege. Being able to wear this jersey and represent my community in front of my family, and be part of another nationals, is really special." 

"My teammates are my best friends. I've taken a lot of pride in being someone they can trust and feel confident playing in front of. For me, it's about more than just wins, although they are also nice."

With this being Duscio's first season in black and gold, this year was all about finding comfort and extending her prowess at the university level. As a player who highly values the support of her team members, she couldn't have ended up in a better place to continue her collegiate journey. 

"The team culture is great, and everyone genuinely wants the best for one another and pushes each other to succeed," Duscio says.  

A newcomer to a Canadian national tournament, Duscio was a member of two St. Lawrence squads that played in the NCAA National Tournament; making it to the quarterfinals in both years.  

"I'm looking forward to bringing the experience I've gained from previous national tournaments, and do everything I can to help my team compete at the highest level." 

For this trio of Warriors stars, the upcoming weekend signifies something different for all of them, but one theme emerges above all else – the tight-knit bond these girls share year in, and year out.