The University of Toronto Varsity Blues field hockey team won the OUA semi-final match in dramatic fashion, defeating the Western Mustangs in penalty strokes on Saturday, October 31. 

The Varsity Blues set the tone of the contest early on, pressuring the Mustangs off the opening whistle. 
Natalie Provenzano (Mississauga, Ont.) picked up a rebound after a Blues shot and hit the ball in mid-air, putting the Blues up 1-0 within the first five minutes of the game. However, the Mustangs would answer on a well executed corner later on in the half. 

Although both sides had many more corner opportunities, neither could connect, and the score would remain tied heading into halftime. The second half would offer no changes to the scoring as neither team could find the goal. 

The OUA semifinal would be decided by a penalty stroke competition. Provenzano, the Blues standout rookie, would step up and put one away for Toronto. Fifth-year veteran Kristen Shier (North Vancouver, B.C.) and Kaelan Watson (Richmond, B.C.) also found the net in the stroking competition. 

The game fell into the hands of goaltender Samantha Lyzun. With a CIS championship berth in the balance, Lyzun made her third save of the stroking competition, sending the Blues into both the OUA finals on Sunday against the undefeated Guelph Gryphons and to Victoria B.C. for the national championships. 



Sunday's OUA championship game is scheduled fror 1 p.m. at TD Waterhouse Stadium in London, Ont.

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