Box Score

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the Laurier Golden Hawks 3-1 in their first exhibition game of the 2024-25 season on Friday (Sept. 13) night in Waterloo, Ont. 

Both teams were held scoreless for the majority of the first period but late in the opening frame the Blues found the back of the net when third-year forward Kaitlyn McKnight set up fourth-year forward Aili McKeown for McKeown's first of the pre-season, giving the Blues the 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. 

The Blues remained up 1-0 after the second period a strong showing from first-year goaltender Lyla MacKinnon between the pipes as well as a perfect penalty kill was able to neutralize the Golden Hawks offence as the Blues took a one goal lead into the third period. 

Midway through the third period the Blues got a power play and capitalized on the opportunity. First-year defender Sadie Watkins-Southward picked up her first goal of the pre-season with assists from second-year defender Madison Tiro and fifth-year forward Scout Watkins-Southward.  

Late in the third period, McKeown picked up her second point of the night when her and fourth-year defender Kalie Chan combined to set up fourth-year defender Emma Potter to give the Blues a 3-0 lead. 

Laurier defender Danielle Menko added a late goal to make it 3-1 but the Blues defence and goaltending stood tall as MacKinnon finished the game with 21 saves and the Blues left Waterloo with their first win of the pre-season. 

The Blues will be back in action on Sunday (Sept. 15) afternoon when they take on the Concordia Stingers in an exhibition game at Varsity Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. and tickets are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets