The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's and women's water polo teams are off to Hamilton, Ont., to compete at this weekend's (November 27-29) 2015 OUA championship, hosted by the McMaster Marauders.

Women's Championship Preview

The Varsity Blues women earned their sixth title in program history and third in four years when they dominated the Ottawa Gee-Gees, 8-2, in last season's OUA final.

Toronto is the top ranked team heading into the three-day tournament, and will play the winner of McMaster/Queen's on Saturday afternoon at 12:10 p.m. The winner of that game will earn a spot in Sunday's championship final, set for 1:15 p.m.

Toronto is a perfect 9-0 versus OUA competition this year, marking the third straight season without a conference loss. Their last loss to an OUA team came versus Carleton on Nov. 25, 2012.

The Blues have outscored their OUA counterparts 94-40 so far this season,

A trio of Blues have led the team offensively. Third-year standout Ana Miroslavic of Toronto has led the team with 19 goals in nine games, while rookie Megan MacCormac of Ottawa has notched 18 goals, averaging two per contest. Sophomore Alexandra Kraft has also scored 14 times this season.

Not to be forgotten is third-year forward Emily Bidinosti, who was named last year's OUA championship MVP. Bidinosti scored seven goals versus OUA competition this year in just three games before being sidelined with injury.

Despite the graduation of three-time OUA most valuable goalie Breanna Gadzosa, the Blues are solid in net with senior Rosalee Brown and rookie Daniela Freeman splitting time all season.

Men's Championship Preview

U of T's men are also the top seeded team heading into this weekend. The Blues will also face the winner of McMaster/Queen's on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., in hopes of earning a spot in Sunday's championship final.

The Blues are the defending OUA champions after defeating the Carleton Ravens 7-6 in last year's final.  U of T has met Carleton in six of the last seven OUA finals.

Toronto has won 30 provincial titles in program history, dating back to their first in 1926-27. U of T has been dominant in the last decade, claiming nine of the last 13 OUA banners.

The Blues went 11-2 versus OUA competition this season, with both of their losses coming with one-goal deficits versus the Ravens at the Queen's Invitational.

2014 OUA all-stars Michael Chapman and Sever Topan are back to lead the squad. They will look to third-year standout Emre Tali, second year left-hander Sukhmun Hare and rookie Euan Scoffield to continue their offensive prowess.

Second-year international student Emirhan Ozdemir returns to lead Toronto in net this weekend.
 
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