WOMEN'S HOCKEY ROUNDUP: First and fourth separated by just two points after busy weekend

Friday, January 17

Western 6 @ York 1

The York University Lions women's hockey team dropped a tough 6-1 loss Friday (Jan. 17) to the visiting Western Mustangs on home ice at Canlan Ice Sports.
 
With the defeat, the Lions fall to 4-12-2 on the season and remain at the bottom of the OUA standings with 10 points. The Mustangs, meanwhile, maintain their hold on fifth by improving to 11-6-1 this year.
 
The Lions got off to the quicker start, testing Western's composure early. The Mustangs would falter under the surge and sacrificed a man advantage to York on a costly penalty. On the power play, Lindsay Brook (Ste. Rose, Man.) rifled a shot from the point that was earmarked for a goal, but Western goaltender Olivia Ross (Huntsville, Ont.) was there to shut the door and kill the penalty.
 
The Lions would get on the board a few minutes later, however, when Kristen Barbara (Mount Hope, Ont.) wristed a laser from the circle past Ross' glove hand for the score, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
 
The goal seemed to wake the sluggish Mustangs, as the visiting squad would turn up the pressure on York for the remainder of the period. Struggling to clear the puck on a couple of extended shifts in their own end, the Lions eventually gave up the equalizer at 12:26 when Sydney Kidd (Sundridge, Ont.) evened the score at a goal apiece on a nice shot that beat Megan Lee (Orillia, Ont.).
 
Western would close out the period looking in control with the score resting at 1-1.
 
Returning in the second, the Lions were determined to match the Mustangs pace, but were handcuffed by an interference call that put Western on the power play. Forward Stacey Scott (London, Ont.) converted on the advantage, moving Western out front by a goal, 2-1.
 
Mid-way through the period, the Lions earned a power play opportunity of their own, but a misplayed puck by the defence put Lee in a tough spot, and Kidd converted her second goal of the game shorthanded to give the Mustangs a two-goal lead.
 
Another score late by Marlowe Pecora (Sarnia, Ont.) pushed Western ahead 4-1 going into the second intermission.
 
In the final frame the Mustangs sprinted towards the finish line, adding two more goals by Brittany Clapham (Tottenham, Ont.) and Megan Taylor (Surrey, B.C.) for the win. Ross finished with 40 saves on the night, while Lee had 34.

Source: York Sports Info


Ryerson 2 @ Laurier 4

WATERLOO, Ont. (January 17, 2014) - Devon Skeats of Whitby, Ont., had a goal and an assist in the third period as the No. 3 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks scored three times in the final 20 minutes to defeat the Ryerson Rams 4-2 on Friday night at the Waterloo Recreation Complex.
 
After falling behind 2-1 on an early third period powerplay goal by Ryerson, Skeats brought the Hawks to life with a vintage goal, using her speed to beat the Rams' defence before going upstairs to tie the game at two.
 
The Hawks would take over from there, getting goals from defencemen Haley Baxter of Waterloo, Ont., and Catie Thomson of St. Catharines, Ont., to pull out the victory.
 
Also highlighted in the win was the continued strong play from the line of Jessica Prevette of Mississauga, Ont.,Tammy Freiburger of Wingham, Ont., and Robyn Degagne of North Bay, Ont. Prevette registered a goal and an assist to bring the rookie's point total to 14 on the season, tied for second best among OUA freshmen, while Freiburger had two assists to extend her point streak to nine games.
 
Laurier goalie Kayla Brown of Lively, Ont., earned her sixth win of the season as she made 18 saves while Alex Armstrong of Toronto, took the loss for Ryerson despite stopping 36 of the 40 shots she faced.
 
With the victory, the Hawks improve their record to 14-2-2 as they move into top spot in the OUA, vaulting ahead of the idle Queens Gaels. Laurier has now earned points in their last 12 games with a record of 10-0-2.
 
Ryerson's loss drops them to 5-13-0 on the season.
 
Source: Laurier Sports Info
 
 
Windsor 4 @ UOIT 3

OSHAWA, Ont. - Jill Morillo of the UOIT women’s hockey team moved into the top ten on the OUA all-time goal scoring charts Friday night at the Campus Ice Centre in a 4-3 loss to the University of Windsor.
 
The Ridgebacks had a tough start as the Lancers took the lead in the first minute of the game courtesy of a goal from Candice Chevalier. UOIT would continue to look sluggish throughout the first two periods as the Lancers would go on to record three more goals including a second for Chevalier on a power play late in the second period.
 
However, UOIT showed a renewed vigour in the third period as they began to find openings and started to go on the attack. Zoe Battie (Nanaimo, B.C.) opened the scoring for the Ridgebacks one minute into the third period, while captain Jill Morillo (Whitby, Ont.) would add a power play marker a mere two minutes later.
 
The goal is Morillo’s 58th of her career, moving her into the top ten for all-time goal scoring in the OUA. She is now tied with Andrea Ironside (2005-10) of Laurier and Lori Dupuis (1991-97) of Toronto.
 
Sarah Worthington (Whitby, Ont.) added the final Ridgeback goal in the last minute of the game with the extra attacker on the ice. UOIT looked for the equalizer in the final seconds but time ran out on the improbable comeback.
 
Cassie Charette (Ottawa, Ont.) started in net for the Ridgebacks and recorded 24 saves including several spectacular efforts in the final frame. Windsor's Marissa Kozovski stopped 21 of 24 UOIT shots to earn her third straight win to start 2014.
 
Coming into the game, the two teams were tied for sixth place with 19 points apiece. With the win, Windsor (10-7-1) pulls ahead while UOIT (9-8-1) falls to seventh, three points in front of the Waterloo Warriors (6-7-4).

Source: UOIT Sports Info
 
 
Saturday, January 18

Laurentian 0 @ Guelph 3

Guelph, Ont. (January 18, 2014) – The Guelph Gryphon women's hockey team defeated the Laurentian Voyageurs this afternoon at the Gryphon Centre with a final score of 3-0. This win moves the Gryphons to 14-3-0 and drops the Voyageurs to 6-11-1.
 
Stephanie Nehring earns herself another shut out at home, saving a total of 14 shots on goal.
 
The first period started with end-to-end action between the Voyageurs and the Gryphons. Both teams seemed to be struggling to get past the opposing defenders, but the Gryphons were able to more pressure on the Voyageurs as the period progressed. Laurentian would get the first power play of the game after a hooking call on Leigh Shilton at 10:35. The power play would be short lived after Voyageur player Lindsey Brazill (Bowmanville, Ont.) was called for tripping at 11:47. When Shilton's penalty ended, the Gryphons were able to take advantage of the extra man on the ice with an across the crease goal from Kimberley Wong to Averi Nooren at 13:08 on the power play to make it 1-0 for Guelph, with Emily Corbett also on the assist.
 
The Gryphons would score again after a pass from Kelly Gribbons to Katie Mora (Guelph, Ont.) at the blue line would have Mora dodging opposing defenders and beating the goalie with a shot to the top right corner of the net, making it 2-0 for Guelph at 16:53 in the first period.
 
The Gryphons had the first power play of the second period after a tripping call on Laurentian player Lauren Langille (Sudbury, Ont.) at 6:34. The Gryphons put a lot of pressure on the Laurentian defenders, shooting five times on their power play. A turnover had Laurentian clearing the puck and the Gryphons were unable to set up in front of the net again, leaving the score at 2-0.
 
Leigh Shilton was called for hooking at 13:02 later on in the second period but the Gryphons were able to kill the penalty, not allowing the Voyageurs to shoot on goal at all. The Voyageurs were able to get one more shot off in their next power play at 18:23 after a call on Michelle Sabourin for boarding. Laurentian was able to get one shot off, but would remain scoreless in the second period.
 
The third period began with end-to-end action between both teams. Laurentian would put up a fight, trying to set up in front of the Gryphon net, but Guelph would ultimately clear the puck and take the pressure off Gryphon goalie, Stephanie Nehring (Oshawa, Ont.).
 
The Gryphons would score their third goal of the game at 12:14 after an across the crease pass from Amanda Parkins to Christine Grant had Guelph in the right position to beat the Laurentian goalie, Emily Toffoli (Sudbury, Ont.). Grant's goal would make it 3-0 in the third period with Parkins and Jessica Pinkerton on the assists.
 
Laurentian would finish the game scoreless with a final score of 3-0. The Gryphons would also manage to out shoot the Voyageurs with a total of 24-13 in favour of Guelph.

Source: Guelph Sports Info
 

Ryerson 2 @ Waterloo 3

The Waterloo women's hockey team scored three unanswered goals en route to a crucial 3-2 win over the Ryerson Rams on Saturday afternoon at the CIF arena.
 
The Rams opened up a 2-0 lead within the opening 10 minutes of the game but Waterloo fought their way back into the game to take it and even their record at .500 (7-7-4).  Their 18 points has them sitting comfortably in eighth spot just three points behind UOIT and Windsor.
 
Marissa Redmond (Ajax) and Kaitlyn McDonell (Kincardine) each had two points while Rachel Marriott (Waterloo) tallied the game winning goal at 9:47 of the third to lift Waterloo to the victory.
 
Waterloo netminder Rebecca Bouwhuis (Orillia) stopped 16 of 18 shots for the win while Gryphon keeper Alex Armstrong allowed three goals on 25 shots.

Source: Waterloo Sports Info


Nipissing 1 @ Brock 8

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Brock University women's hockey team (6-10-1 OUA) extended their win straight to four games as they defeated the Nipissing Lakers (5-12-1 OUA) by the score of 8-1 Saturday afternoon at the Seymour-Hannah Centre.
 
With the victory, the Badgers move into 9th place in the OUA, five points out of a playoff spot, with seven regular season games remaining.
 
Brock opened the scoring midway through the first period as senior Leigh Vanderveen (NOTL, Ont.) and senior Brianne Veale (Sault Ste Marie, Ont.) set up junior Laura Neu (Ayr, Ont.) for her sixth goal of the season.
 
Nipissing would tie the game 1-1 6:45 into the second period on a goal from Janica Vossos.
 
For the remainder of the second period It was all Brock, as they answered five straight times to take a commanding 6-1 lead after 40 minutes. Scoring for Brock in a second were senior Jessica Fickel (Fort Erie, Ont.) who recorded her 9th and 10th goals of the season. Freshman Brittany Gillmor (St. George Brant, Ont.), freshman Kaileigh Grant and junior Ally Graham (Thamesford, Ont.) all added single markers.
 
In the third period, Brock would add two more goals as Vanderveen recorded her 9th and 10th goals of the season for the four-point afternoon. Veale had a career game adding four assists while Fickel finished with three points adding two goals and one helper. Fickel also became the third player in school history to record 50 career assists.
 
This penalty filled affair saw a total of 78 minutes in penalties.
 
In goal, Brock rookie starter Jenna Sosnoski (New Dundee, Ont.) turned aside 27 of 28 shots she faced for her sixth victory of the season. Nipissing's Jacqueline Rochefort recorded 18 saves on 22 shots in the loss. She was replaced by Sabrina Picard who also allowed four goals.

Source: Brock Sports Info

 
Western 3 @ UOIT 4

OSHAWA, Ont. – Jill Morillo and Jaclyn Gibson each scored a pair of goals to lead the UOIT women’s hockey team to a 4-3 victory over the Western Mustangs Saturday afternoon at the Campus Ice Centre.
 
Morillo (Whitby, Ont.), a fifth year Nuclear Engineering & Management major, recorded her 59th and 60th career goals in the Ridgebacks 10th victory of the season. The milestone marker puts her seventh on the OUA all-time goal scoring charts, as she is tied with Andrea Hunter who played for the Toronto Varsity Blues from 1991 to 1996. Morillo has recorded 10 goals this year.
 
Gibson’s two goals also gave her 10 this season, almost doubling her total amount scored in her previous four seasons (11). Gibson (Cobourg, Ont.) and Morillo are tied for fifth in OUA goal scoring this season.
 
After going scoreless over the first 20 minutes in Saturday’s game, it was Western who managed to break the ice as Marlowe Pecora beat UOIT goaltender Cassie Charette (Ottawa, Ont.) six minutes into the second period.
 
Ten minutes later, Sarah Worthington (Whitby, Ont.) worked hard along the boards to force a Western turnover. Falling to the ice, Worthington managed to feed Morillo in front of the net who beat Western goaltender Oliva Ross. With momentum on their side and working on the power play, Gibson blasted a snap shot over the goaltender’s glove to give UOIT their first lead of the game.
 
Gibson would strike again a minute into the third period with her second goal of the game. However, the Mustangs would respond three minutes later with one of their own.
 
With Western pressing for the equalizer, Morillo would add some insurance as she recorded the Ridgebacks second power play goal. UOIT would end up needing that extra goal as Western scored late and forced Charette to make several key saves in the final minutes to preserve the one-goal victory.
 
Defenders played a key role in the Ridgeback victory as Rachel Budden (Richmond, B.C.) and Melissa Berney (Bowmanville, Ont.) each had an assist on the team’s third period goals.
 
Freshman Mikaeli Cavell (Edmonton, Alta) recorded an assist to extend her point streak to three games. Cavell is tenth in OUA freshman scoring with 10 points in 19 games.
 
Charette made 25 saves in her third win of the year. Ross finished the night with 33 saves for Western, but suffered her first loss in her past four games.
 
UOIT outshot Western 37-28, including 21-5 in the second period.
 
It was a big win for UOIT (10-8-1) as they move within two points of Western (11-7-1) and Windsor (11-7-1) for fifth place in the OUA standings. UOIT swept the season series over Western with two victories.
 
The Ridgebacks will head up north next weekend to take on the Nipissing Lakers (Saturday) and Laurentian Voyageurs (Sunday). This will be the Ridgebacks first visit to North Bay and Sudbury as it is their first year in OUA women’s hockey.

Source: UOIT Sports Info

 
Windsor 4 @ York 3

Kiri Langford netted two goals but the Windsor Lancers came back to defeat the York University Lions women's hockey team by a score of 4-3 at Canlan Ice Sports on Saturday evening (Jan. 18).
 
The Lions led 3-2 early in the third period after Langford's (Collingwood, Ont.) second goal of the game, but Erinn Noseworthy (Appin, Ont.) netted a pair of her own in the final 5:35 of the contest, including the winner with 3:02 left, to give the Lancers their fourth win in a row.
 
With the loss, the Lions drop to 4-13-2 on the year and remain at the bottom of the OUA standings with 10 points. The Lancers, meanwhile, improved to 11-7-1 and are tied with the Western Mustangs for fifth place.
 
After a scoreless first period, the Lions wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the second. Langford found the back of the net for her second goal of the season just 28 seconds into the frame to give the Lions a 1-0. Assisting on the play were Andrea Joyce (Mississauga, Ont.) and Rianna Langford (Collingwood, Ont.).
 
The lead was short-lived, however, as Bree Polci (London, Ont.) scored less than four minutes later to tie the game at 1-1.
 
Windsor took its first lead of the game on a power play goal at 8:04 of the second period when team captain Lindsay Hoogstraten (St. George, Ont.) found the back of the net for a 2-1 Lancers advantage.
 
The Lancers appeared to be headed to the second intermission with a lead, but Amy Locke (Toronto) went in on net alone and scored a shorthanded marker with two seconds left on the clock to even the score at 2-2 before the break.
 
The Lions once again regained the lead at the 6:23 mark of the third period on Langford's second of the game. A scramble in front of the net saw the puck land on her stick, and she tipped it over the shoulder of Windsor goaltender Ingrid Sandven (Bergen, Norway) for a 3-2 York advantage.
 
The Lions managed to hold the lead until Noseworthy's heroics down the stretch snatched the victory away.
 
Polci finished with a three-point night, also earning assists on both of Noseworthy's goals.
 
The Lions will be on the road next weekend for a pair of games up north, beginning with a trip to Sudbury, Ont., to face the Laurentian Voyageurs on Saturday (Jan. 25) at 3:45pm. They will also be in North Bay, Ont., on Sunday at 2pm for a game against the Nipissing Lakers.

Source: York Sports Info

 
Toronto 3 @ Laurier 2 (SO)

WATERLOO, Ont. (January 18, 2014) - The No. 3 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's hockey team suffered their third shootout loss in their last four games on Saturday night as they fell 3-2 to the Toronto Varsity Blues.
 
The loss overshadowed a milestone night for team captain Laura Brooker of Fergus, Ont. The fourth year forward became the sixth Laurier player to record 100 career points when she earned an assist on Devon Skeats (Whitby, Ont.) second period tally. She joins Lisa Backman, Andrea Ironside, Katherine Shirriff, Lauren Barch and Heather Allan as the only Golden Hawks to achieve the milestone.
 
In what was a tightly contested battle between two of the top four teams in the OUA, the Hawks twice rallied from one goal deficits and forced overtime thanks to a third period tally from rookie Dollee Meigs of Owen Sound, Ont.
 
After a scoreless overtime period, Toronto didn't take long to clinch the victory as each of their first two shooters found the back of the net while Laurier failed to convert either of their first two opportunities.
 
Rookie Taylor Day of Ilderton, Ont., playing in just her third OUA game, scored the game-winning goal in the shootout for the Varsity Blues. She also found the scoresheet in regulation along with teammate Ragan Danford of Madoc, Ont.
 
Picking up the win in net for Toronto was Nicole Kesteris of Aurora, Ont., who made 31 saves through regulation time. Laurier netminder Amanda Smith of Burlington, Ont., was handed the loss after making 30 saves.
 
Despite the loss, the Hawks pick up another point in the standings as they now sit at 14-2-3 on the season, two points up on the No. 4 Queen's Gaels for first place in the conference. Toronto improves their record to 13-4-1 and sit in fourth place.
 
Laurier and Queen's will face each other next weekend in a critical game that could determine who eventually clinches first place in the OUA this season. The Hawks and Gaels will meet at the Kingston Memorial Centre on Saturday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m.
 
Source: Laurier Sports Info

 
Sunday, January 19

Nipissing 0 @ Guelph 6

Guelph, Ont. (January 19th, 2013) – The Guelph Gryphon women's hockey team defeated the Nipissing Lakers Sunday afternoon at the Gryphon Centre with a final score of 6-0. The win moves the Gryphons up to 15-3-0 and drops the Lakers to 5-13-1.
 
The first period started out with end-to-end action, with both teams taking their own shots on net. The Gryphons would get the first power play of the game at 8:03 in the first period after Nipissing player Janica Vossos (North Bay, Ont.) was called for roughing after the whistle. Guelph was quick to set up in front of the net, putting pressure on Laker goalie, Kate Brazda (Napanee, Ont.). Amanda Parkins would come close with a shot from above the crease, failing to beat the goalie. The Gryphons would make it 1-0 at 9:59 on the power play after a shot fromJessica Pinkerton finally made it past Brazda, with Jessica Pellegrino and Parkins on the assists.
 
Nipissing picked up the intensity, but the Gryphon defense was able to force turnovers and dominate possession of the puck. The Gryphons would score again after an across the ice pass from Marcie Landman to Gina Murray who was set up just outside the crease ready to slap the puck into the top right corner making it 2-0, with Cara Sayles also on the assist. Less than a minute later the Gryphons scored again with Kaitlyn Mora bringing the puck around the net and punching it into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 at 14:59 in the first period, with Sayles and Kelly Gribbons on the assists.
 
The Gryphons entered another power play late in the first period after Nipissing player Kayla Carter (Ottawa, Ont.) was called for tripping at 15:35. Guelph was on the power play for only 10 seconds before scoring their fourth goal of the game after a quick shot by Parkins, with Emily Corbett and Christine Grant on the assists to make it 4-0 at the end of the first period.
 
Nipissing changed their goalie at the beginning of the second period, putting in Sabrina Picard (Hearst, Ont.) in Brazda's place to control the onslaught of Gryphon shots. Mora tried for her second goal of the game with a backhanded shot from inside the crease, but was unable to get past Picard. The Gryphons got another power play in the second period after Brittany Taylor (Stratford, Ont.) was called for slashing at 6:41. Although the Gryphons put consistent pressure on the goalie, Nipissing was able to clear the puck and successfully kill the power play. Nipissing was able to utilize their possession more effectively in the second period than in the first, tying Guelph for shots on goal 9-9.
 
Nipissing was able to get the puck down into Gryphon territory after a cross checking penalty on Guelph player Kimberley Wong had the Lakers on the power play. Nipissing was unable to create any pressure for the Gryphon defense however and could not beat Guelph goalie Stephanie Nehring. Nipissing had a power play immediately following their first after Pellegrino was called for body checking at 14:15. Nipissing turned over the puck and were unable to regain possession in time and the second period remained at 4-0 for the Gryphons.
 
The Gryphons and the Lakers started the third period with back and forth action, neither team taking a shot. The Gryphons took the first shot of the third period and made it into a goal after a pass to Pinkerton had her turning and shooting from above the crease to make it 5-0 at 3:44, with Parkins and Grant on the assists. The Gryphons scored again shortly after with a goal from the top of the circle from Michelle Sabourin to make it 6-0 at 7:17 in the third period, with Pinkerton and Grant on the assists.
 
Nipissing would pick up a power play late in the third period after Jessica Pinkerton was called for interference. Nipissing was consistently pushed to the outside by the Gryphon defense however, unable to set up in front of the net. The Gryphons would kill the penalty and Nipissing would ultimately remain scoreless for the remainder of the game.
 
Guelph out shot and out scored the Lakers with a final score of 6-0 and a final shots on goal tally of 31-17, both in favour of the Gryphons.
 
The Guelph Gryphon women's hockey team hits the ice again on Saturday, January 25th in Toronto against the Ryerson Rams with the puck set to drop at 7:30 p.m.

Source: Guelph Sports Info

 
Toronto 3 @ Waterloo 2

The Waterloo Warriors dropped a tightly contested game on Sunday afternoon falling to the Toronto Varsity Blues 3-2.  The loss drops Waterloo's record to 7-8-4 as they remain in the eighth and final playoff spot.  The Blues record improved to 14-4-1 putting them in a tie with Queen's for third in the OUA.
 
Third-year forward Sonja Weidenfelder opened the scoring with an unassisted marker midway through the first period and sophomore Kristi Riseley put the Blues up by two five minutes later.
The Warriors got on the board 9:04 into the second frame with a powerplay goal from Rachel Marriott (Waterloo). Toronto held a 2-1 lead heading into the final frame.  Marriott's goal was her second of the weekend and team leading 15th point.
 
Alie Brind'Amour-McClure extended U of T's lead early in the third period and despite a late powerplay goal from Carolyn Burke (Mississauga), the Blues held on for their third straight victory.
 
Rookie goaltender Michaela Logan posted 11 saves in the win while Rebecca Bouwhuis (Orillia) was busier in net for Waterloo allowing three goals on 20 shots.
 
The Warriors will go on the road next Friday for their only game of the weekend when they face-off against the always competitive Queen's Gaels.
 
Source: Waterloo Sports Info

 
Laurentian 0 @ Brock 4

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Brock University women's hockey team (7-10-1 OUA) blanked the Laurentian Voyageurs (6-12-1 OUA) by the score of 4-0 Sunday afternoon at the Seymour-Hannah Centre.
 
Prior to the game, the Badgers handed out their annual Leadership Awards that were presented by head coach Jim Denham, long-time supporter Paul Dwyer and Brock University Vice-president, Finance & Administration Brian Hutchings. The 2013-14 recipients were junior Laura Neu (Ayr Ont.), seniorKatie Howlett (Burlington, Ont.), senior Leigh Vanderveen (NOTL, Ont.) and senior Brianne Veale (Sault Ste Marie, Ont.).
 
The Badgers opened the scoring on the powerplay with 2:12 remaining in the first period as junior Ally Graham (Thamesford, Ont.) recorded her first goal of her career. Senior Jessica Fickel (Fort Erie, Ont.) and Veale added the assists.
 
After a scoreless second period, Brock would add three third period goals which included shorthanded markers from Fickel at 1:16 and Neu at 1:40 to put the Badgers up 3-0. Fickel would record her second goal of the game at 12:01 to secure the victory. Vanderveen and freshman Sophie Herbert (Ryde Isle of Wight, UK) collected the assists.
In goal rookie standout Jenna Sosnoski (New Dundee, Ont.) continued to shine as she registered 34 saves for her first career shutout. Laurentian starter Laura Deller collected 33 saves in the loss.
 
With the victory, Brock moves into ninth place in the OUA standings and sits just three points back of Waterloo for the final playoff spot with six regular season games remaining.
 
The Badgers look to extend their five game win streak Thursday when they take on the Ryerson Rams at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.

Source: Brock Sports Info