The Varsity Blues defeated the Guelph Gryphons 9-5 in the quarter-finals before narrowly falling to the Laurier Golden Hawks 12-11 in semi-final action on day one of the 2010 OUA women’s lacrosse championship in London, Ont.

The Blues dominated the first half versus Guelph to build a 5-1 lead after the first 18 minutes of play. The Gryphons attempted to rally at the beginning of the second; however, Toronto countered with four more goals to seal the quarter-final victory.

Midfielders Breanne Gillie of Hamilton, Ont., and Kristin Smart (Whitby, Ont.) led the way with three goals apiece, while Cobourg, Ont., native Taryn Grieder tallied two and Susan Tung had one in the win.

U of T went on to play the top-ranked Golden Hawks, who had a bye into the semi-final round. The Blues used a zone defence to hold off Laurier in the first half and narrowly trailed 7-5 at the midway point of the game.

A late push by Toronto would narrow the gap to just one in the last minute of play, but the final whistle sounded before the Blues could even the score.

Gillie and Smart again led the Blues with three goals each, while Grieder added two. Tung, Lisa Smid, and Tori Wasson all added single tallies in the loss.

The Varsity Blues are set to face the Queen’s Gaels for the OUA bronze medal tomorrow at 4 p.m.

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