Box Score Fourth-year forward Jacqueline Scheffel was the lone goal scorer in the shootout as the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team overcame a three-goal deficit to defeat the Laurier Golden Hawks 5-4 on Friday night (Jan. 24) at Varsity Arena.

With the win the Blues improve to 12-3-3 and move into a tie for third place, while the Hawks drop to 11-4-4 and remain in fifth.

Fifth-year Blues netminder Nicole Kesteris made 30 saves in the win, while Laurier goalie Amanda Smith posted 29.

Laurier pressured Toronto early, with Kesteris making numerous saves. The Hawks did open the scoring five minutes into the contest as a quick shot from Baxter found the back of the net.

Laurier added to their lead seven minutes later when third-year forward Robyn Degagne capitalized on a Toronto turnover in front of the net and had a clear angle for the goal.

The Blues did cut the deficit before the first period expired when fourth-year defenceman April Looije's point shot found its way through traffic and into the net.

The Hawks extended the gap to two again early in the second period when veteran forward Jessie Hurrell sent a centering pass to Tammy Freiburger who tipped it in.

Freiburger struck again with a powerplay marker midway through the frame but U of T rookie Kassandra Roache brought the game back within reach, scoring her first career goal five-hole on Laurier netminder Amanda Smith.

Less than four minutes later, third-year forward Kristi Riseley tipped in a Stacey Oue pass on a 5-on-3 opportunity and the Blues trailed the Hawks 4-3 heading into the final frame.

After a back-and-forth third period, Riseley notched her second of the game with 1:34 remaining to force overtime. Kesteris came up with a huge save on a 2-on-1 towards the end of the frame, while Laurier successfully killed off a four-minute penalty which carried over into OT and a shootout was needed to decide the winner. 

The Varsity Blues are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they host the Waterloo Warriors in their eighth annual Think Pink game at Varsity Arena. The puck drops at 2 p.m.

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