The University of Toronto Varsity Blues field hockey team dropped a narrow 1-1 (3-0) shootout decision to the Victoria Vikes in Game 2 of the 2021 U SPORTS field hockey championship at Back Campus Fields.
   
After a scoreless first half, 2021 U SPORTS rookie of the year Chloe Langkammer got the Vikes on the board in the 35^th minute, forcing a turnover and sending the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.  
 
The Duncan, B.C., native almost doubled the Vikes lead early in the fourth quarter but Deepi Gill, who earned Nike Team player of the game honours for the Blues, came up with a diving save to keep the game within reach.
 
U of T put the pressure on late, being awarded three penalty corners in the final four minutes of the game. The third time was the charm as McKinley Kennedy tipped in fellow rookie Mia Zurkovic's shot to even the score in the 57^th minute and force the shootout.
 
Toronto, who took Game 1 of the series 1-1 (3-2) in a shootout on Friday night, was unable to find their groove until late in the fourth quarter.
 
"I think Victoria came out and dominated the first three quarters," said Varsity Blues head coach Cass Mendonça. "I think in the last five minutes we came to play and got a couple of corners and put one in. We definitely didn't play to our game plan today. I think we have to come and play Blues hockey and that's what never happened today but I think we'll be ready for tomorrow."
 
SCORING SUMMARY
VIC: 0-0-1-0: 1
TOR: 0-0-0-1: 1
 
First quarter
No scoring
 
Second quarter
No scoring
 
Third quarter
VIC Chloe Langkammer (1), 35^th minute
 
Fourth quarter
TOR McKinley Kennedy (1), 57^th minute
 
Shootout
VIC Cara Butler, goal                                      
TOR Sam McCrory, save                                             
VIC Anna Mollenhauer, goal                                       
TOR Anna Costanzo, save                                           
VIC Chloe Langkammer, save                                      
TOR Katie Lynes, save                        
VIC Madeline Mittelsteadt, goal

Goaltenders
VIC: Robin Fleming (W, 60:00, 1 GA, 1-1)
TOR: Deepi Gill (L, 60:00, 1 GA, 1-1)
 
Nike Team Players of the game
VIC: Chloe Langkammer (Duncan, B.C.)
TOR: Deepi Gill (Brampton, Ont.)