In a showdown of nationally ranked teams, the No. 1 Varsity Blues field hockey team were defeated 3-1 by the No. 3 York Lions on Wednesday (Oct. 4) night.

Traveling to York for the first game of a home-and-home series this week, U of T were riding high off a five-match undefeated streak. Meanwhile, the Lions entered the Wednesday evening tilt with an unblemished 6-0 record.

Utilizing the home turf advantage, York were first to find the back of the net scoring the opening goal of the night just five minutes into the contest.

Toronto answered back early in the second quarter as Harnoor Malhi notched a marker for the Blues off a penalty corner in the 19th minute of the game.

The U of T defence were nearly able to keep the match all square into the half, but York ended the stalemate just four minutes before the intermission to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Battling back-and-forth throughout the second half of action, Toronto searched for an equalizer but were unable to break through offensively. The Lions eventually added an insurance marker to secure to victory on home turf.

The Blues will look to rebound and split the season series when the rivals meet again this Saturday, Oct. 7 at Back Campus Fields. Action between the nationally ranked opponents will begin at 1 p.m.