The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team fell 3-2 to the Ryerson Rams in Game 1 of their OUA semifinal series on Wednesday night (Feb. 26) at Varsity Arena.
 
"They have some skilled players and good shooters and unfortunately we let them get into our zone untouched," said Varsity Blues head coach Vicky Sunohara. "We were on an eight-game winning streak and other teams see that. They battled. They wanted it. I think at times they wanted it more than we did but we are ready. We are ready to go back. We probably want to play right now but we have a couple of days to prepare."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Rams opened the scoring midway through the first period as Avery Horlock made a nice individual effort and found the top corner of the net. The Blues evened the score less than four minutes later as Gabriella De Serres wired a shot from point through traffic and in on the poweprlay.
 
Ryerson regained the lead with 19 seconds remaining in the frame when Kryshanda Green buried her own rebound at the side of the net. The Rams were up 2-1 after 20 minutes of action.
 
Lauren Nicholson put the Rams up by two just 2:32 into the second period as she found the top corner of the net. Both teams exchanged powerplay chances in the frame but the score remained 3-1 heading into the third period.
 
Second-year forward Taylor Trussler gave the Blues some life, scoring on the powerplay 4:28 into the final frame; however, U of T was unable to find the back of the net again.
 
Sophomore netminder Erica Fryer posted 22 saves in the loss.
 
UP NEXT: The Blues will look to keep their season alive as they head to Mattamy Athletic Centre for Game 2 this Saturday, February 29 at 7:15 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, is back at Varsity Arena on Sunday night (March 1) at 7 p.m.
 
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