The University of Toronto Varsity Blues field hockey team won their third consecutive OUA banner in defeating the Guelph Gryphons 3-2 in the gold-medal match on Sunday, October 30 in London, Ont.
 
Both Toronto and Guelph advance to the upcoming CIS championship, November 3-6, at the University of Toronto. Toronto automatically qualifies as host, and Guelph earned their berth following a 1-0 victory over Western in semi-final action yesterday.

Toronto claimed their OUA-leading 32nd provincial banner since 1971 in thrilling fashion as first-year defender Emily Ziraldo scored with three minutes remaining to break the 2-2 deadlock.  
 
Fourth-year midfielder and 2016 OUA all-star Emma Wingrave (Oakville, Ont.) opened the scoring for the Blues in the fourth minute of the match, but the Gryphons responded four minutes later as veteran Nicole Paola (Waterloo, Ont.) scored to even the match at 1-1.
 
Four-time OUA all-star and Mississauga native Alison Lee put the Blues up just before half, scoring off a long shot in the 33rd minute.  
 

WATCH Alison Lee's go-ahead goal! @UofTFieldHockey leads @Guelph_Gryphons 2-1 at the half of the @OUASport gold-medal match! #WeAreTO pic.twitter.com/xIlTvcSU2G

— Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) October 30, 2016

Both teams had great chances to score in the second but it would be Guelph who would strike first as 2016 OUA player of the year Olivia Lane scored off a penalty corner to even the game at 2-2 with 14 minutes remaining.
 
Toronto dominated possession in the final minutes and Ziraldo was able to net the winner before time ran out. Rookie Elizabeth O'Hara earned the victory in net for the Blues.
 

The Cele! @UofTFieldHockey @OUAsport @USportsCA pic.twitter.com/joni9y83Dn

— Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) October 30, 2016

The Varsity Blues will now welcome the Canada West champion UBC Thunderbirds, silver medalists Victoria Vikes and OUA silver medalist Guelph Gryphons to Toronto for the 2016 CIS championships, November 3-6, at Back Campus Fields. Seeding and scheduling for the national championship will be announced Sunday night. Advance tickets are on sale here.
 
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