The York University Lions women's hockey team bested the UOIT Ridgebacks by a score of 2-0 on Sunday (Oct. 19) at Canlan Ice Sports in its home opener.
 
The Lions dominated the first period in the attacking half as the team pressured the Ridgebacks' defence, and it didn't take long for them to get on the scoreboard. Sarai Whitty (Kingston, Ont.) shot straight at the goaltender, who could not get a good grip on the puck as Lions' rookie forward Chelsea Tucker (Alliston, Ont.) scrambled to poke it in to give the Lions an early lead just 2:29 in. It was Tucker's first career goal for the Lions. Whitty and defender Kristen Barbara (Mount Hope, Ont.) were credited with the assists.
 
Seven minutes later, the Ridgebacks almost found a goal going one-on-one with the goalie. However, goaltender Megan Lee (Orillia, Ont.) won the duel and held on to the puck to stop the play.
 
Caitlin Lee (Madoc, Ont.) prevented a dangerous run by the opposition's Chelsea Ball by intercepting a deflected pass and clearing it off before the forward could shoot.
 
With less than one minute to go, Rianna Langford (Collingwood, Ont.) made an attempt in front of the goal. Langford was closely marked by a defender, resulting in a weak shot at the goalie.
 
The Lions carried their 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
 
At the start of the second period, the trailing Ridgebacks responded with an early attacking play. The first five minutes of the second frame was mostly played in the Lions' defensive half, but Lee stood her ground and saved all the incoming shots.
 
Ten minutes in, the Lions executed a counter attack led by Whitty and Jessa McAuliffe (Odessa, Ont.) that ended with a save by the goalie.
 
The Lions extended their lead on another counter attack with 5:01 left in the second. Veteran forward Lisa Stathopulos of Toronto had a breakaway and released a sniper of a shot through the legs of the goalie to score her third goal of the season. Lee and Amy Locke (Toronto) assisted the goal.
 
The Lions were more organized in the final period. Despite having the lead, the team kept on the offensive. With less than five minutes played, Lindsay Brook (Ste. Rose, Man.) fired a powerful slapshot from the left, forcing the goalie to deflect it. The puck fell to Barbara, who let it go from a distance towards the top of the net. Ridgebacks goalie Cassie Charette made a spectacular save, catching the puck in midair.
 
UOIT pulled its goalie early but the Lions kept their defence locked tight to preserve the shutout.
 
Lee was impressive in front of the goal, saving 28 for her first shutout of the season, while Charette was credited with 24 saves.
 
The win brings the Lions' record to 2-2-0 on the season. They will return to action to face the Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday (Oct. 25) at Canlan Ice Sports beginning at 2pm.
 

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The women's hockey team wins their home opener over UOIT! ?? lionpride yorku yorklions hometownhockey #hockeynight

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