Czechia’s Rise Continues As Pesjova Holds Off Canada In FISU Gold Medal Game

Remember the name: Julie Pesjova. In just their second-ever appearance at the FISU World University Games, the Czechia women’s hockey team is coming home with gold.

Pesjova, the 21-year-old netminder who has represented her nation at FISU, U-18 and U-16 levels, made 51 saves as her team defeated Canada 2-1 in the gold medal game at the Torino 2025 World University Games.

Anna Vaníčková scored the winning goal with 3:39 left in overtime, beating Canada and Dalhousie Tigers netminder Grace Breer after Barbora Bartáková picked up the puck on a neutral zone turnover.

It was Czechia’s 15th shot of the night compared to Canada’s 52.

After a scoreless first two frames, the Czechs opened the scoring with 8:11 remaining in regulation as Bartáková scored her tournament-leading eighth goal. Their lead didn’t last long, though, with Calgary Dino Sydney Mercier tying the game at 1-1 just 40 seconds later.

While Canada had ample chances to win and even got the puck past Pesjova in overtime -- only to be called off -- it was an outstanding goaltending performance that lifted Czechia to their first title and pushed Canada away from its goal of defending gold from Lake Placid 2023.

The win marks just another step in the momentum that Czech women’s hockey has gained in the past several years. While Ottawa Charge PWHL head coach Carla McLeod has brought the senior national team to podiums at the IIHF Worlds, the FISU Games title is yet another accolade in the game's continued rise in the nation.

“I was very nervous because so far we had won every game here, and we knew that Canada would be the toughest game to play, but before our first game against USA, we said that everyone was playable and we could play against everyone,” Czechia captain Anna Kotounova said.

“We just gave everything to it, our hearts and everything we had left.”

Given her performance in the tournament and the gold medal game, Pesjova, in particular, could earn more senior-level looks. Bartáková’s performance could also push her back into the senior team picture as a 20-year-old. Both had previously represented the nation at youth levels before the Torino 2025 Games, with Bartáková having one call-up to the senior level.

While they left with gold medals and a history-making performance in the final, the tournament showed Czechia’s continued rise at all levels. They swiftly handed USA 6-2 and Kazakshtan 11-1 before having little issue beating Japan 4-0 and eliminating rival Slovakia 3-1 in the semifinal before the tight overtime encounter with Canada.

Disappointment for Canada

The Canadians come away with disappointment on a day that starts with surprise. Concordia Stingers netminder Jordyn Verbeek had started most games for Canada and was the assumed starter for the gold medal matchup, but was left off the gameday roster, leaving Breer to the starting role.

While the AUS netminder remains one of U SPORTS’ elite, she had previously only faced two shots all tournament, with Verbeek taking most minutes. MRU Cougars netminder Kaitlyn Ross served as the gold medal game backup.

The Dalhousie goalie did well, though, making 13 saves, including several overtime breakaways to give her team a chance, leaving Canada’s forwards the puzzle of Pesjova to solve at the other end.

Yet, without gold, the tournament still ended in disappointment for the Canadians, especially given their ample opportunities to score in the final moments of Monday’s game. Even so, two players from head coach Kelly Paton’s team earned their second FISU medals.

Waterloo Warrior Leah Herrfort and Toronto Varsity Blue Scout Watkins-Southward were returning players from the Lake Placid 2023 gold medal team, earning a silver medal in addition to the FISU title from two years ago.

Leah Herrfort was also a difference-maker through the tournament, scoring seven goals and five assists, including an assist on Mercier’s tying goal. She evaded her defending before a quick backhand pass from behind the net.

Watkins-Southward, meanwhile, brought a critical veteran presence and two-way contributions throughout the tournament, leading the team as captain in her second Games and a season that saw her switch from the Queen’s Gaels to the Varsity Blues.

FISU Games a PWHL step?

While the FISU Games may not feature the best American players (the U.S. sent a team of ACHA All-Stars and often sends NCAA DIII), it still is a strong development step for several student-athletes with professional aspirations.

At Lake Placid 2023, the gold medal game featured former Concordia star, turn New York Siren Emmy Fecteau as Canada’s captain, while former Ottawa Charge forward Akane Shiga suited up for Team Japan.

With the PWHL now in full swing, alongside the continued rise of Czech hockey, there’s every potential for several players from the Torino 2025 tournament to find their way into the world’s top pro league. Herrfort will no doubt have callers, as will other Team Canada members, but with eight goals in the tournament, Bartakova and Czechia’s stars may just find their way to the league too.

For Czechia, though, the future doesn’t matter on Monday night. It’s all about the present, an outstanding goaltending performance, and a golden goal Anna Vaníčková won’t soon forget.