In front of a packed house at Varsity Arena the No. 7 nationally-ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team fell 3-2 to the York Lions on Thursday (Jan. 25) afternoon.
 
With a crowd that was loud all game, the Blues looked to build off their energy and got off to a good start, controlling the pace of play for the majority of the opening frame. Despite the good start it was the Lions who got the icebreaker, as a point shot from Ava Ricker-Singh made its way through traffic and into the back of the net. 
 
Although they were trailing by a goal after one, the Blues came out flying right away in the second period. Third-year forward Sophie Grawbarger sent Varsity Arena into a frenzy as she pulled off a nifty move after receiving a pass from first-year forward Taylor Delahey to beat Lions goaltender Emma Wedgewood for her seventh goal of the season. 
 
As the second period continued, both teams traded chances but Wedgewood and fifth-year goaltender Erica Fryer exchanged big saves to keep the game deadlocked at one goal a side after two periods of play. Fryer finished the game with 18 saves. 
 
In the third period both teams battled for the lead. The Blues got their first lead of the game midway through the third period as third-year defender Olivia Hilton flew into the offensive zone attacking the Lions net to set up third-year forward Abby Howland for her first goal of the season. 
 
The Lions got their equalizer late in the period as Alexa Giantsopoulos scored in the final five minutes to tie the game once again. Shortly after Lions forward Sydney Paulson scored to give the Lions the lead in the dying minutes of the third period. 
 
The Blues next game is Saturday (Jan. 27) afternoon when they travel to Waterloo, Ont. to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on oua.tv.