The No. 9 nationally ranked Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the TMU Bold 4-1 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Thursday (Nov. 23) night.
 
The Blues jumped to an early lead in the game thanks to first-year forward Christina Alexiou, who picked up her first career OUA goal. TMU was able to respond quickly however as an Emily Baxter shorthanded goal tied the game less than a minute later. Despite being tied, the Blues controlled play in the opening frame firing 19 shots at the Bold's net. Third-year forward Aili McKewon got a scoring chance for the Blue and White late and while she beat Bold goaltender Lauren Griffin, she was denied by the crossbar, keeping the game tied after one.
 
In the second period the Blues regained the lead as the Blues continued to apply pressure in the offensive zone, third-year defender Kalie Chan's shot from the point was tipped by captain Taylor Trussler to put the Blues up by a goal after two periods of play. The goal would prove to be the eventual game-winner, marking the third of the season for Trussler.
 
In the third period the Blues added insurance to their lead. While the Blues were in the midst of a line change, fourth-year forward Juliette Blais-Savoie came off the bench, intercepted a TMU clearing attempt and ripped a shot top shelf to make it 3-1 Blues. Then with nine minutes remaining in the third period first-year forward Taylor Delahey danced around a Bold defender before deking past the TMU goalie to net U of T's fourth and final goal of the contest.

Fifth-year goalie Erica Fryer was aided by strong defensive play by the Toronto blueline, only needing to make 13 saves to secure her seventh win of the season.
 
The Blues play again Friday (Nov. 24) night against the Waterloo Warriors at 7 p.m. at Varsity Arena. Tickets can be purchased at varsityblues.ca/tickets and the game will be streamed live on oua.tv.