October 29, 2022
Banner Season: Lions hand Blues first loss of the season en route to OUA title
Toronto, Ont. - The Toronto Varsity Blues dreams of back-to-back OUA field hockey championships were dashed away by the York Lions Saturday afternoon at the Back Campus Fields.
Despite the Blues leading by one late in the third quarter, the visiting Lions stormed back for a 2-1 victory, claiming their first OUA title since 2018.
Although it wound up being the Varsity Blues first and only loss of the season, the game could not have started any better for Toronto. The number one ranked team in Canada jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead, when recently named OUA most valuable player, Sam McCrory converted on a penalty corner. The goal was her 24th of the year, including both regular season and playoffs.
That lead would hold up for much of the contest, however, Toronto was unable to add to it. A couple of key saves from York goalkeeper, Serena Vilde helped keep the high-powered Varsity Blues offence at bay, and keep the Lions within striking distance.
The momentum of the match then shifted in the dying moments of the third quarter. After appearing to score, but instead were awarded a penalty corner, the Lions took full advantage on a shot from Natalie Brown. The goal tied the game 1-1 just prior to the horn sounding to end the third.
Suddenly deadlocked at one goal a piece and just 15 minutes to play, the OUA championship came down to one quarter. Midway through that quarter, the Lions pounced, as Caitlin Miller sent the ball past Blues goalkeeper, Deepi Gill, putting York up 2-1 with just seven minutes to play.
Determined to still find their way to the U SPORTS championship, the Blues pushed. On two occasions, McCorry came excruciatingly close to tying the game. However, one of her shots got deflected, while the other sailed just wide right.
Despite a green card issued to York's Elyse Ives in the 58th minute, the Lions managed to hold on for the 2-1 win.
York will now prepare for a trip across the country as they get set to head to Victoria, B.C., to take on the UVic Vikes in a best-of-three series with the winner being crowned national champions.
Despite the Blues leading by one late in the third quarter, the visiting Lions stormed back for a 2-1 victory, claiming their first OUA title since 2018.
Although it wound up being the Varsity Blues first and only loss of the season, the game could not have started any better for Toronto. The number one ranked team in Canada jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead, when recently named OUA most valuable player, Sam McCrory converted on a penalty corner. The goal was her 24th of the year, including both regular season and playoffs.
That lead would hold up for much of the contest, however, Toronto was unable to add to it. A couple of key saves from York goalkeeper, Serena Vilde helped keep the high-powered Varsity Blues offence at bay, and keep the Lions within striking distance.
The momentum of the match then shifted in the dying moments of the third quarter. After appearing to score, but instead were awarded a penalty corner, the Lions took full advantage on a shot from Natalie Brown. The goal tied the game 1-1 just prior to the horn sounding to end the third.
Suddenly deadlocked at one goal a piece and just 15 minutes to play, the OUA championship came down to one quarter. Midway through that quarter, the Lions pounced, as Caitlin Miller sent the ball past Blues goalkeeper, Deepi Gill, putting York up 2-1 with just seven minutes to play.
Determined to still find their way to the U SPORTS championship, the Blues pushed. On two occasions, McCorry came excruciatingly close to tying the game. However, one of her shots got deflected, while the other sailed just wide right.
Despite a green card issued to York's Elyse Ives in the 58th minute, the Lions managed to hold on for the 2-1 win.
York will now prepare for a trip across the country as they get set to head to Victoria, B.C., to take on the UVic Vikes in a best-of-three series with the winner being crowned national champions.
