The York University Lions women's hockey team suffered a 4-3 loss to the No. 5 nationally-ranked Guelph Gryphons at the Gryphons Centre on Thursday night (Nov. 3).
 
The Lions led 3-1 after two periods of play but the high-powered Gryphons offensive attack that has scored more goals than any other in the OUA came roaring back in the third period, scoring twice in a two-minute span to tie the game and then adding another in the extra frame.
 
The win improve Guelph's record to 3-2-1-1 and pushed them into first place in the OUA standings, while the Lions picked up a point in the loss and now sit at 1-1-3-2.
 
Second-year forward Erin Locke (Toronto) scored her team-leading third goal just five minutes into the contest to give the Lions an early 1-0 lead. At 12:29, Steffei Samuel (Markham, Ont.) added a goal of her own to stretch York's lead to 2-0 after the first period of play.
 
The Gryphons got one back less than three minutes into the second period on a power play goal by Sydney Davison, but the Lions again went up by two four minutes later when Jenna Gray (London, Ont.) scored for a 3-1 advantage. Samuel earned her second point of the night with an assist on Gray's goal.
 
Kaitlin Lowy and Stephanie Gava scored for the Gryphons in the third to second the game into overtime, and Meagan Lee found the back of the net at 3:52 of the extra period to pick up the second point in the standings.
 
York's three goals were tied for the most given up by reigning U Sports player of the year Valerie Lamenta so far this season and she finished with 25 saves on 28 shots. Lions rookie goaltender Lauren Dubie (London, Ont.) made 25 saves of her own in the loss.
 
Thursday's game against the Gryphons was York's only one of the weekend, and they will get another chance to take down the Gryphons in their next meeting, scheduled for next Wednesday night (Nov. 9) at Canlan Ice Sports. Puck drop is set for 7pm.