ARPAN KAUR // yorkulions.ca

The York University Lions women's hockey team scored two clutch goals to secure a much-needed 2-0 win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, winning their first game of the 2021-22 OUA regular season on Saturday evening at the Campus Ice Centre.
 
The Lions were seeking to break their five-game losing streak with their first win since the start of the season. It wasn't until late in the third period that Caroline Eagles and Julia Cuccia found the back of the net to give the Lions their first victory of the season. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Lions opened up the first period firing 15 shots, while the Ridgebacks had only six shots against Lion's netminder Julianna Thomson.
• The Lions continued their dominance over the Ridgebacks in the second period with another 14 shots against the Ridgebacks goaltender Zoe McGee. The red and white defensive wall made it nearly impossible for the Ridgebacks offence to break through, allowing only two shots at the net.  
• It was the third period where the Lions were compensated for their hard-fought match with a goal at 8:35 when Courtney Gardiner and Kelsey McHolm found Eagles in front of the opposing net, assisting Eagles for her first goal of the season.
• Cuccia scores her first goal of the season, securing the 2-0 win with an open-net goal at 19:47 with an assist from Ava Ricker-Singh.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• The Lions had a 40-16 shooting advantage over the Ridgebacks.
• Thomson was impressive between the pipes throughout the game, playing the complete 60 minutes, making 16 saves, stopping every shot that came her way.

LOOKING AHEAD
 
Up next for the Lions is a two-game match-up against the Toronto Varsity Blues on Friday, Nov. 26. The OUA East-leading Blues possess a 4-0-1 record. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm at the Varsity Arena.