After narrowly escaping with a tie on Saturday, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues field team regrouped Monday night (Sept. 29) with a convincing 4-0 win over their cross-town rivals, the York University Lions, at Varsity Centre.

The Lions caught the Blues on their heels early in the match and had the momentum with three consecutive short corner opportunities. Blues goalie Sam Lyzun (West Vancouver, B.C) had things well in hand and kept the Lions at bay with a few key saves to keep the game scoreless.

In the 25th minute of the first half, third-year Engineering student Kyesia O’Neale scored her fifth goal of the season to break the deadlock and put the Blues up 1-0.

Toronto would increase their lead to 3-0 before the end of the first half, scoring two goals in a four minute span. Team captain Kristen Shier (North Vancouver, B.C.) would notch the second Blues marker off a short corner in the 31st minute, while 2007 OUA and CIS player of the year Cailie O’Hara (Oakville, Ont.) would tally a beautiful direct shot off another short corner as time expired.

The Blues dominated the second half and kept the Lions at arm’s length with sharp passes and a well-executed attack. Fourth-year forward Riana Sterk (Embro, Ont.) would add some extra insurance, notching her team-leading seventh goal of the season with four minutes to play in regulation.

The field hockey team travels to the nation’s capital for a series of games this Saturday and Sunday, October 4-5. They face the host Carleton Ravens on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and the Western Mustangs at 4 p.m. that same afternoon. The Blues then face the Waterloo Warriors on Sunday morning. Game time on Sunday is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.