The University of Toronto Varsity Blues kept their medal hopes alive at the 2009 CIS women’s field hockey championship with a 2-1 win over the No. 5 Alberta Pandas, Friday afternoon at the University of Victoria.

Both the OUA finalist Varsity Blues and Canada West third-place finisher Pandas entered the duel in search of their first victory of the tournament. Toronto went into the match with an 0-2 mark after losses against reigning champion Victoria and top-ranked Guelph on Thursday, while Alberta endured a loss to No. 2 UBC on opening day.

The Varsity Blues got off to a quick start early in the contest, as Rianna Sterk of Embro, Ont., capitalized on a penalty corner to put the Blues up 1-0.

Kristen Shier (North Vancouver, B.C.) executed a well taken penalty stroke in the 50th minute of the game, in what would turn out to be the game winning goal.

Although Samantha Lyzun’s shutout bid was stopped after a late Alberta goal, the West Vancouver B.C. native still took home player of the game honours in Toronto’s first win at the national tournament.

The victory kept medal hopes alive for the Varsity Blues, who will play their final match of the preliminary round against the undefeated UBC Thunderbirds (2-0-1) on Saturday afternoon.

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