The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the Nipissing Lakers 3-1 in Game 1 of their best-of-three OUA quarter-final series on Wednesday night (Feb. 20) at Varsity Arena.

SERIES SCHEDULE: The Blues will look for the series sweep as they head to North Bay for Game 2 on Friday night (Feb. 22) at 7:30 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, will be back at Varsity Arena on Sunday (Feb. 24) at 4 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Fourth-year forward Kiyono Cox opened the scoring just 2:22 into the contest, banging home a rebound on Toronto's top-ranked powerplay. The Blues extended their lead towards the end of the first on a 4-on-4 opportunity as Stephanie Ayres one-timed a beautiful pass from Mathilde De Serres into the back of the net. U of T was up 2-0 after 20 minutes of action.
 

WHKY: TORONTO GOAL! Kiyono Cox scores on the PP to give the Blues an early 1-0 lead over the @nulakers in Game 1! pic.twitter.com/a8OyxbTJCp

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) February 21, 2019

 

WHKY: TORONTO GOAL! Stephanie Ayres SCORES off a beautiful pass from Mathilde De Serres! The Blues are up 2-0 over the @nulakers with 3:14 to go in the first! pic.twitter.com/pKNOmVZoCR

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) February 21, 2019

The Lakers finally got on the board late in the second period as Hunter Mosher forced a turnover on a Blues powerplay and her breakaway attempt trickled past Blues netminder Erica Fryer. Toronto held a 2-1 lead at the second intermission.

The Lakers put on the pressure early in the third period but it was the Blues who padded their lead. At the midway point of the frame, fifth-year forward Jessica Robichaud tipped in a Jana Headrick point shot to restore the two-goal lead.
 

WHKY: TORONTO GOAL! Jessica Robichaud tips in a Jana Headrick point shot to put Toronto up 3-1 over the @nulakers with 10 minutes to go! pic.twitter.com/F8bLocSmaf

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) February 21, 2019

Fryer posted 15 saves in her first career post-season victory.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.