The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s hockey team came away with a 7-3 victory over the UOIT Ridgebacks on Saturday, October 10 at Varsity Arena.

The Blues came out flying in the first regular season game of 2009-10, scoring two goals in the first 13 minutes of action.

Third-year forward Brenley Jorgensen (Kingston, Ont.) made a great effort to battle through two defenders and send the puck to linemate Annie DelGuidice (Hamilton, Ont.) all alone at the side of the net. DelGuidice made no mistake, pulling a nifty move to deke out UOIT goaltender Jessica Larabie (Pickering, Ont.) and backhanded the puck into the empty net.

Less than three minutes later, fourth-year centre Emily Milito (Ottawa, Ont.) picked up an Amy Cornell (Oakville, Ont.) rebound and found herself all alone in Ridgeback territory, sending a wrist shot over Larabie’s glove to put the Blues up 2-0.

However, the two-goal lead was short lived as UOIT scored just 19 seconds later. Three Ridgebacks crashed the net off the faceoff and finally scored when Jill Morillo (Whitby, Ont.) found a hole to get her squad on the board.

UOIT continued to press and with three minutes remaining in the first period, Rikki Palmateer (Cobourg, Ont.) picked off a pass high in Toronto’s end. She immediately started a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing play with Meghan Steacy (Gananoque, Ont.) and Vanessa Johnstone (Niagara Falls, Ont.), who finished it off to tie things up at 2-2 heading into the second period.

The Ridgebacks carried that momentum over as third-year forward Chrissy Tereshyn (Scarborough, Ont.) walked out of the corner and sent a backhand past Blues goaltender Kendyl Valenta (Brampton, Ont.) to take a 3-2 lead early in the second period.

Jorgensen evened the score at the 7:55 mark of the second period, scoring off the back post to finish a low cycle play with linemates Karolina Urban (Kamloops, B.C.) and DelGuidice.

First-year standouts Courtney and Alie Brind’Amour McClure (Waterdown, Ont.) gave the Blues a 4-3 lead with 38 seconds left in the second period. Alie picked up a drop pass from Courtney and shot the puck into the top left corner of the net.

Toronto dominated the entire third period and flooded the Ridgebacks net with scoring opportunities. Eight minutes in, first-year forward Kelly O’Hanlon (Markham, Ont.) walked out of the corner and sent a pass to Ragan Danford (Madoc, Ont.) for her first goal as a Varsity Blue.

Just 33 seconds later, DelGuidice added her second goal of the game on an outstanding individual effort, putting the puck through the UOIT defenceman’s legs for an open shot and picked up her own rebound to find the back of net.

Jorgensen garnered her second goal of the afternoon on the Blues powerplay opportunity. The third-year arts and science student shot the puck off Larabie’s leg from behind the goal line to deflect it into the net. 

DelGuidice was named the Blues player of the game for her four-point performance. Jorgensen also had two goals and two assists in the victory.

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow afternoon (Oct. 11) when they host the Queen’s Gaels at Varsity Arena. The puck drops at 4 p.m.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.