The York University Lions women's hockey team ran rampant with a 5-1 win over the No. 6 nationally-ranked Guelph Gryphons at Canlan Ice Sports on Saturday (Nov. 1).
 
The Lions were quick to make an impact on the game, scoring the first goal at 2:11 through Dana Somerville (Hockley, Ont.). The goal was assisted by Jenna Gray (London, Ont.) and Kristen Barbara (Mount Hope, Ont.). The team pressured the Gryphons defence, and it paid off with a clinical shot by Somerville for her first of the season.
 
Lions goaltender Megan Lee (Orillia, Ont.) was solid in her post, making crucial saves from dangerous plays. Soon after the goal, Lee faced a two-on-one attacking play against the Lions. The goalie calmly saved the shot and deflected the puck back into play.
 
Gryphons forward Christine Grant powered a dangerous shot towards the goal with less than six minutes on the clock. Lee stopped the shot and laid it for a Lions defender to bring forward.
 
The last five minutes of the first period saw the Lions turning up the pressure on the visitors.
 
Right before the break, the Lions extended their lead. With 1:56 left to play on the period, Mariah Krancevich (Sault St Marie, Ont.) scored on the power play for her first goal of the season. The Gryphons defenders crowded the area but Krancevich was able to get the shot away for the Lions' second of the game. The goal was assisted by forwards Stephanie Dovaston (Unionville, Ont.) and Raeanna Kelly (Cut Knife, Sask.).
 
Within six minutes of the second frame, the Lions were able to extend the gap. Miscommunication by the Gryphons defenders led to an interception by Lisa Stathopulos (Toronto), who sent the puck to the middle. Rianna Langford (Collingwood, Ont.) shot in point blank range for the team's third goal and her fourth of the season. Stathopulos and Amy Locke (Toronto, Ont.) assisted the goal.
 
The Lions continued to press the visitors. At 6:11, the Lions went on a counter-attack. Locke surged forward after a pass from Stathopulos released her. Locke took a swing at the goal while under pressure by her marksman. The puck slid past between the goalie's legs and into the net. Barbara and Stathopulos were credited with the assists.
 
At 7:50, the Gryphons pulled one back through Kaitlyn Mora. The Lions were caught off-guard with the Gryphons' pace on the attack. Jessica Pinkerton passed to Averi Nooren, who provided for Mora to finish.
 
The Lions remained in the offensive for the rest of the period. With 5:38 left in the second, Locke recorded her second of the game through a powerful shot from a distance. Lindsay Brook (Ste. Rose, Man.) played a wonderful assist from the right for Locke to finish. Langford and Brook were involved in the lead-up to the goal.
 
The final period was uneventful for the home team. Both teams attempted to pressure each other, but neither found any danger.
 
Sarai Whitty (Kingston, Ont.) came close to scoring with 16 seconds left. The goalie caught the puck in midair to deny the goal.
 
The victory moved the Lions recorded a 4-3-0 this season in the OUA conference standings. The Lions' next opponent is the Brock Badgers on Sunday (Nov. 2) at Canlan Ice Sports beginning at 2pm.
 

The women's hockey team with a huge win over No. 6 Guelph! ?? yorku lionpride

A photo posted by York Lions (@yorkulions) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:24pm PDT