Veterans Tory Merrill and Yoko Murphy (Toronto) each tallied three goals as the OUA-leading Varsity Blues defeated the host Laurier Golden Hawks 12-4 at University Stadium in Waterloo, Ont.

Jen Held (Brampton, Ont.) and Taryn Grieder (Cobourg, Ont.) each netted two, while Megan Daza and Breanne Gillie (Dundas, Ont.) each added on apiece in the win.

The game was close for the first five minutes as the Blues scored the opening goal just one minute and 50 seconds in when Merrill (Orangeville, Ont.) notched her 16th of the season.

The defending OUA champion Hawks responded quickly, tallying their first just seconds later when Megan Austriaco (Rockwood, Ont.) put it behind Blues goalie Madison Ash (Mississauga, Ont.).

The two teams would exchange four goals over the next five minutes of the game and keep this battle close. Toronto found the back of the net two additional times to give themselves a 6-4 lead at the end of the first half.

Toronto’s offence exploded in the second and their defence managed to shutdown Laurier’s attack as the Blues racked up six unanswered goals to take this game 12-4.

The Blues continue OUA action tomorrow, Oct. 18, as they take on Laurier in the second game of a back-to-back at 8 a.m. and then the Western Mustangs at 1 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