The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team notched a 3-2 shootout victory over the No. 9 nationally ranked and OUA defending champion Western Mustangs on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 6) in London, Ont.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Fourth-year defenceman Cristine Chao opened the scoring on Toronto's first powerplay of the game, wiring a shot from the point past Mustangs goalie Carmen Lasis 3:49 into the game. The Blues took the one-goal advantage into the first intermission.
 

WHKY: TORONTO GOAL! Cristine Chao's point shot goes in on the PP! The Blues are up 1-0 over Western early in the first period. pic.twitter.com/OpZezHulXb

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) January 6, 2019

Fifth-year forward Kassie Roache put the Blues up by two, burying a Lauren Straatman rebound just 16 seconds into the second period. The Mustangs cut the deficit to one though as April Clark found the back of the net midway through the frame. U of T held a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of action.
 

WHKY: TORONTO GOAL! Kassie Roache scores 16 seconds into the second period to put the Blues up 2-0 at Western! #WeAreTO pic.twitter.com/2XuWQogegd

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) January 6, 2019

Shanna Alexander tied the game for the home team, scoring 5:45 into the third period and neither team would find the back of the net again through regulation and overtime.

Louie Bieman and Chao scored for the Blues in the shootout, while Western's Rachel Armstrong tallied one. Erica Fryer made two saves in the shootout and 14 on the day to secure Toronto's second straight victory of 2019.

UP NEXT: The Blues are back in action this Thursday, January 10 as they host the UOIT Ridgebacks in their first-ever Pride Night at Varsity Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m.

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