The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's water polo team concluded another weekend south of the border dropping a pair of games against NCAA Division I opponents on Day 2 of the VMI Invitational in Lexington, Virginia. The Blues finished the tournament in third place overall with a 2-2 record.
Not having played a game in two months prior to the weekend, the Blues used the trip to prepare for its annual southern California competition tour.
BLUES 7 Villanova 13
Toronto began the day with an early morning match against the Villanova University Wildcats. With familiarity between the two teams as they have previously competed against on another back in October, the two sides fought to a 2-2 first quarter draw.
However, the Blues then lost the next three quarters by two goals each, falling by a final mark of 13-7 to the Wildcats.
"We couldn't match their intensity after the opening period," said Blues head coach George Gross, Jr. "Our players needed this in order to get used to the level of intensity they will face in California in two weeks."
Third-year attack Hannah Levin and rookie centre forward Lillian Wheatley paced the Blues with a pair of goals each, while second-year attack Devon Lynch and first-year standouts Amy Pearce and Ava Stimson all adding singles.
Despite allowing 13 goals, fourth-year starting goalie Hana Truchla made numerous stops.
BLUES 7 Mount Saint Mary's 11
The Blues had only an hour and a half rest before the start of their second tilt of the morning against the Mount Saint Mary's University Mountaineers, another team they had faced back in the fall.
The team showed great heart and determination and twice traded goals with The Mount to end the opening period tied 2-2.
After trading goals for a third time, fatigue began to settle in and the Blues allowed two more goals to trail 6-3 at the half.
The slide continued into the third quarter with Toronto giving up four more to make it six scores against before they were able to respond, falling behind 11-6 entering the final frame.
The Blues netted the only goal of the fourth quarter to conclude the game.
"It was a big ask to play two tough opponents within a span of four hours," allowed Gross, Jr. "However, I am proud of the players effort which will benefit us in California."
Levin paced the Blues attack with a hat-trick. Fourth-year power forward Vega Jones tallied twice with Lynch and Wheatley chipping in with a goal apiece to round out Toronto's scoring.
The Blues next head to southern California during Reading Week to play 11 games against NCAA opponents. Action will begin in Fullerton, California on Thursday, Feb. 15 when they challenge Cal State Fullerton.
