The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's water polo team went 2-1 at the 2018 Carleton Invitational, November 17-18, in Ottawa.
 
Orcas 6, Toronto 3
 
Some travel problems caused the Blues to arrive 20 minutes before game time. With a limited lineup due to injuries, head coach George Gross, Jr. employed the entire available bench, which was bolstered by back-up goalies Amber Masse (San Jose, California) and Maddie Hertz (Miami, Florida) converting to field players.
 
The Blues never got untracked, appearing sluggish from start to finish in dropping a 6-3 decision to the older and more experienced Orcas.  Freshman Emily Grossman (Sunnyvale, California) paced the Blues attack with a pair of goals, while freshman Katie Smith (Chestermere, Alberta) added the other. 
 
Toronto 15, Carleton 2
 
In a NCWP league match that followed two hours later, the Blues got some good news when injured freshmen Deena Charles (Fraser Valley, B.C.) and Emma Brezoczky (Palo Alto, California) were able to suit up, albeit for limited duty.
 
The infusion of the two regulars gave the Blues squad some early jump and the team sprang out to a 5-2 first quarter lead. From then on starting goalie Rachael Jaffe (Irvine, California) and back up Masse shut the door on the Ravens. Coupled with the strong goaltending, the Blues counterattack widened the margin in each quarter en route to a 15-2 win.
 
The counterattack was led by freshman Sara Sutherland (Regina) who had another strong game, scoring five goals to continue to lead the team in scoring.
 
Junior Rhianna Wood (Calgary) also had a big game notching four goals and five steals.  Getting more comfortable in her new position as a center forward, freshman Sarah Wentling (Mohnton, Pennsylvania) had a strong game, netting a pair of goals, while drawing two penalty shots and two exclusions.  Singles tallies came courtesy of freshman Allie Vas (Yorba Linda, California), Charles and Hertz.
 
Toronto 6, Queen's 2
 
The league-leading Blues closed out the tournament with a 6-2 win over the Queen's Gaels on Sunday.
 
The Blues secured the first seed for the NCWP championship in two weeks time by defeating the second-place Gaels.
 
Queen's opened the scoring midway through the opening quarter.  The Blues were unable to respond due to numerous turnovers on the offensive end.  That trend continued into the second quarter but Toronto managed to get the equalizer leaving the teams tied 1-1 at the half.
 
The Blues then scored three unanswered goals before surrendering a late marker to take a 4-2 lead into the final frame. Junior goaltender Rachael Jaffe (Irvine, California) shut down the Gaels and the Toronto offence added a pair of power play goals to seal the win.
 
Freshman center defender Katie Smith (Chestermere, Alberta) had a strong game in closing down the Gaels center forwards, while leading the Blues attack with a hat trick.  Freshman Allie Vas (Yorba Linda, California) notched the power play goals, while Sutherland (Regina, Saskatchewan) added the other on the counterattack.
 
The Blues return home for their final regular season game on Tuesday night at 7:15pm at the Athletic Center facing the McMaster Marauders.

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