Five different players scored as the Varsity Blues field hockey team to a 7-1 win over the Western Mustangs in OUA semi-final action on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 29) in Guelph, Ont.
With the win, the Blues advance to the gold medal game tomorrow at 12 p.m. where they will take on the host Guelph Gryphons, who edged the Waterloo Warriors 2-1 in the other semifinal of the day. This is Toronto’s 25th OUA final appearance in the last 27 years and the fifth time that Toronto and Guelph will battle for gold since 2005.
The victory also solidifies U of T's berth to the CIS championship, November 3-6, hosted by the University of Calgary.
The Blues displayed an uncanny ability to score on the corner, capitalizing on 6-of-10 opportunities. Six goals were scored in the first half, dominated by the Varsity Blues in terms of possession.
The Blues got out to a quick 3-0 lead with two goals from second-year standout Alex Thicke (North Vancouver, B.C.) and one from OUA all-star Kaelan Watson (Richmond, B.C.). Toronto’s leading scorer Alexandra Evanyshyn (Burlington, Ont.) put the Blues up by four before Western added their lone goal of the game from Megan Scraper (West Vancouver, BC).
Amanda Woodcroft (Waterloo, ON) added a quick goal in the final minutes of the half to widen the gap even further on a corner opportunity. The Varsity Blues held a 5-1 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Blues continued to outplay Western, taking advantage of two corners to round the scoring out at 7-1. Woodcroft finished with her second goal of the game, and was an intimidating presence on the pitch all match in her team’s win. Kelley Lusk (North Vancouver, BC) chipped the seventh and final goal at the 53rd minute.
OUA Championship Field Hockey Schedule:
Friday, October 28
Game 1 - Western defeats McGill 4-2
Game 2 - Waterloo defeats St.Mary's 4-1
Saturday, October 29
5/6 Game - McGill defeats St.Mary's 2-1
Semi-Final A: #1 Toronto defeats Western 7-1
Semi-Final B: #2 Guelph vs Waterloo - 2-1
Sunday, October 30
Bronze - Western vs Waterloo - 10:00 a.m.
Championship - Toronto vs Guelph - 12:00 p.m.
