The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the Western Mustangs 3-1 on Friday (Nov. 6) night in London, Ont.
Following a feeling out process in the first period, the Blues opened the scoring late in the frame as second-year forward Eden Gowing scored her first goal of the season, finishing off a set up from thrd-year forward Ryleigh Horlock. Gowing's goal would be the difference maker as the Blues brought a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Less than three minutes into the second period, Toronto would double its advantage as fourth-year forward Christina Alexiou received a pass in front of the net from fellow fourth-year forward Abby Whitworth, firing home a backhander past the blocker of Mustangs goaltender Presley Daschuk for her first goal of the season. First-year defender Abby Dingwell also drew an assist on Alexiou's first goal of the season, marking the first OUA point for the Morell, P.E.I., native. The Mustangs were quick to respond with a goal from Sara Forwell, marking her sixth goal of the season but The Blues went into the third period with a 2-1 lead.
With Western looking to even the score, the Blues delivered an important insurance goal just past the three-minute mark of the third period. A rush up the ice gave Whitworth an opportunity to score her sixth goal of the season and the finance and economics student took full advantage of the play. Alexiou drew an assist for her second point of the night, and third-year defender Jaia Freer also found herself on the scoresheet on the goal that restored Toronto's two-goal cushion.
The Blues held firm defensively for the remainder of the period, keeping the Mustangs off the scoresheet as third-year goalie Lyla McKinnon picked up the win between the pipes, making 14 saves.
The Blues will wrap up their five-game road trip on Saturday (Nov. 7) night when they travel to Windsor to take on the Windsor Lancers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on
oua.tv.
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