The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s lacrosse team opened the regular season with a pair of one-goal victories this weekend (Sept. 19-20) in London, Ont.

The Blues defeated the Queen’s Gaels 15-14 on Saturday afternoon before edging the host Western Mustangs 12-11 on Sunday morning.

In what proved to be a back-and-forth battle, the Blues and the Gaels exchanged goals with neither team building more than a two-goal lead throughout the first half.

Taryn Grieder (Cobourg, Ont.) and Jen Held (Brampton, Ont.) each scored three goals, while Yoko Murphy (Toronto) chipped in with two as the game was tied 8-8 after the first half.

With two goals from Murphy and singles from Grieder and Tory Merrill (Orangeville, Ont.), Toronto began to pull away and held a 13-10 lead with just over 15 minutes left in the game.

However, the Gaels responded and would tie the game 14-14 with less than five minutes remaining.

In a fairy tale finish, Grieder was able to find the back of the net once more for the go-ahead goal and the Blues held on by the slightest of margins.

Both Grieder and Murphy led all players with five goals apiece, while Held had four goals and two assists in the win.

In Sunday’s matchup, the Blues got off to a slow start against the Mustangs and found themselves down 5-2 after 20 minutes of play. Merrill and Murphy would lead a Toronto rally with one and two goals, respectively, to tie the game 5-5 at the half.

Momentum shifted early in the second half, as the Blues scored four unanswered goals to take a 9-5 lead. However, four different Mustangs would score single markers and the Blues held a narrow 10-9 lead with less than eight minutes remaining.

Both teams continued to exchange goals and with the game tied 11-11, Held stepped up and scored the game winner, helping Toronto cap off a 2-0 weekend.

Murphy again led Toronto with four goals and one assist. Grieder had two goals and three assists, while Held recorded two goals and two assists. Merrill chipped in with two goals and Kristen Smart (Whitby, Ont.) had one in the victory.

The Varsity Blues return to action next weekend (Sept. 26-27) when they host the McMaster Marauders, Guelph Gryphons and Queen’s Gaels at Varsity Centre.

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