The two-time reigning OUA champion University of Toronto Varsity Blues field hockey team opens their 2016 regular season campaign this Saturday, September 17 in Guelph, Ont.
 
The Blues take on the Western Mustangs at 12:30 p.m., and will then face the York Lions on Sunday (Sept. 18) at 10:45 a.m. Toronto's home opener is slated for the following Saturday, September 24, when they face their rival Guelph Gryphons at Back Campus.
 
For the second time in the past three years, the season will culminate at the University of Toronto, as the Varsity Blues play host to the CIS national championship, November 3-6, at Back Campus Fields.


 
The Blues claimed their second straight and fourth OUA banner in the past five years in a thrilling come-from- behind victory over the Gryphons on home turf last season. 
 
Though the squad looks much different in 2016, the Blues are poised and ready to challenge the nation's best this season.
 
"We may have lost a lot of star power in the Stairs and Woodcroft sisters, but I think we have what it takes to challenge anyone in the CIS," said John DeSouza, who enters his 11th season as Blues bench boss. "We will definitely be relying on a full team effort every game day and I'm excited to see who rises to the occasion during times of adversity."

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