After being named the No. 1 team in the country earlier this week, the Varsity Blues women's hockey team held off the Queen's Gaels 3-2 on Saturday (Jan. 14) afternoon at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont.
With the win, The Blues hold a 15-2 record and retain their first place in the OUA East division.
WHAT HAPPENED: Toronto opened the scoring through second-year defenceman Olivia Hilton. The Tecumseh, Ont. native's tight-angled shot trickled passed Queen's netminder, Lexi Georgie just 90 seconds into the game. With the two teams battling back and forth throughout the period, Queen's managed to tie things up with a minute remaining in the first period.
With just two minutes remaining in the second period, second-year forward Sophie Hudson scored for the Gaels to give them their first lead over the Blues this season. However, their triumph didn't last long. Toronto's leading scorer Natasha Athanasakos responded seconds later, burying Hilton's rebound and tying the score back up for third.
Determined to get back in front, the Blues tallied 12 shots on goal over the deciding 20 minutes. However, first-year centre Kaitlyn McKnight made the difference, scoring on a backhanded shot after attempts from defensive duo Kalie Chan and Emma Potter.
Amherstburg, Ont, native Erica Fryer got the call between the post, saving 32 of the 34 shots on goal.
UP NEXT: The Varsity Blues return to action Friday, January 20 when they face off against the Western Mustangs at the Varsity Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
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