The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s field hockey team could not hold on to an early two-goal lead, then came back to tie their OUA conference rivals, the Guelph Gryphons, 3-3 on Friday, October 9 at Varsity Centre.

With less than five minutes remaining in regulation, Kyesia O’Neale (Mississauga, Ont.) put forth a great individual effort and won a corner, setting up Kristen Shier (North Vancouver, B.C.) who stepped up and sent a rocket just under the cross bar to tie the game at 3-3.

The Guelph Gryphons wasted no time off the opening whistle as Tegan Stairs (Kitchener, Ont.) nearly scored under a minute into the game. In the early going, Guelph won a couple of penalty corners, which were well defended by goaltender Sam Lyzun (West Vancouver, B.C.) and her corner unit.

With Guelph possessing most of the play, the Blues forwards suddenly jumped to action. A wonderful passing play in the Gryphons circle left Natalie Provenzano with an open net and the Richmond Hill native made no mistake, putting the Blues up 1-0 in the eighth minute.

Only minutes later, the Varsity Blues connected again. After a short corner was awarded to Toronto, Kristen Shier (North Vancouver, B.C.) launched a drag flick in the low right corner to put the Blues up by two.

After OUA leading scorer Breanne Stairs chiselled her way through the Toronto defenders, a penalty corner was awarded to Guelph. Angela Lancaster (Burlington, Ont.) had an open shot after a give-and-go at the top of the circle, and Lyzun had to come up big once again, tipping the ball off the end line to keep the Gryphons off the board.

Stairs persevered, causing fits for the Toronto defence. Late in the first half, after an excellent run down the right side, she laid the ball off to her sister Tegan, who would find the back of the net, cutting the Blues leads to one. And it would remain 2-1 Toronto heading into half time.

Stairs continued her strong play and won a penalty corner in the first minute of the second half. A couple of superb saves by Lyzun denied the Gryphons corner unit, and the score would remain unchanged.

Guelph continued to pressure the Blues’ defence, and after winning several penalty corners, Heather Mitchell (Guelph, Ont.) nailed a shot in the back of the net, tying the game in the 41st minute.

Shortly after, the Guelph comeback was completed as Stairs, who intercepted a Blues’ pass inside the circle, quickly found the goal to put the Gryphons up 3-2 with 20 minutes left in the contest.

Guelph continued to dominate, nearly doubling their lead with just over 10 minutes to go, as Tegan Stairs was sent in on a break-away. Sam Lyzun timed the play well and slide through the younger Stairs, knocking the ball away from danger.

Toronto’s Shier came to the rescue with her timely second of two goals as these two OUA powerhouses settled for a 3-3 draw on a rainy night at Varsity Centre.

Gryphons continue to be undefeated in regular season play, and lead the OUA. The Blues sit second with a record of 5-1-3.

You can catch the next Blues’ home game on Sunday, October 18, when they host the Queen’s Gaels at Varsity Centre. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m.