The No. 8 nationally ranked York University Lions women's hockey team defeated the Waterloo Warriors 2-0 on the road today in their opening match of the new year at Columbia Ice Field Arena.
 
The two sides came into this affair tied for first place in the OUA standings with 28 points apiece, leaving sole possession of top spot up for grabs with a win.
 
During an even keeled first period that featured seven shots from both sides, York got on the board first off of a Kara Washer goal assisted by Rebecca Lopes, her second point of the season, midway through the frame.
 
After a lackluster second period, the Lions out shot the Warriors 12-3 in the final frame leading to the game clinching goal. 12:32 into the third, Lions forward Tayler Murphy put the Warriors to bed off an assist from Washer. Murphy, who has been on form as of late, has recorded four points in her last three games.
 
Washer finished the game with two points of her own - she is now ranked fourth in the OUA in goals with seven, fifth in assists with eight, and third in points with a career-high 15, with nine games still left to play in the season.
 
Lauren Dubie started in net for the Lions, stopping all 21 shots faced tonight for her OUA leading sixth shutout of the season.
 
The Lions are now 10-4-0-1 on the season, moving up to first place in the OUA. Taking their third victory in a row, the squad has now won 10 games out of a total 15 - the program's best start since the 2009-10 season.
 
After playing their lone game of the weekend, the Lions will continue their home stand next Saturday when they take on the No. 3 Toronto Varsity Blues at Canlan. Puck drop is schedule for 2:15pm.