The No. 4 University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team lost a narrow battle to the Brock Badgers, 2-1, on Saturday night (Jan 18) in St. Catharines, Ont.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Badgers opened up the scoring five minutes into the game as Cassidy Maplethorpe buried the puck past Blues goalie Madeline Albert. Toronto forward Jessica Robichaud took a penalty but that didn't stop their offence from shining. Gabrielle De Serres sprung a high clearing pass to Stephanie Ayres, who broke out and scored a shorthanded goal to tie the game up.
 
Brock would get on the board early again in the second as Mishayla Christensen scored to give the Badgers back the lead. Just over the halfway point of the second, Natasha Athanasakos was hauled down on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. Athanasakos made a nice move on her attempt but was stopped by Brock goalie Jensen Murphy. The Blues headed to the dressing motivated to get back into the game in the third.
 
The Blues offence rose to the occasion in the final period, peppering Murphy with a game-high 17 shots in the period, while their defence held the Badgers to a game-low two shots. Despite their effort, Murphy denied everything they threw at her, handing U of T their sixth loss of the season.
 
Albert made 16 saves on the night.
 
UP NEXT: The Blues are back at home for a Thursday morning (Jan 23) tilt against the Ryerson Rams. Puck drop is at 11:00am.
 
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