Opening up the 2024 portion of the OUA season, the York University Lions women's hockey team is looking to improve their 4-10 conference record with games against the Toronto Varsity Blues and TMU Bold. Two teams that the Lions have seen before, York is in search of starting the year off by snapping a four game losing skid.
Fresh from the break, the Lions will need to focus on their offensive performance from the leadership of Julia Cuccia and Sydney Hiltz, while first-year powerhouse Kaitlin Teixeira continues on her charge, leading OUA rookies with three goals. The leadership of Ava Ricker-Singh is crucial throughout the back half of the season to keep the team focused on their goal and elevate their game, while Emma Wedgewood locks down the crease.
The Match-up:
Jan. 5 York (4-10) vs. Toronto Varsity Blues (8-3)
Jan. 6 York (4-10) vs. Toronto Metropolitan University Bold (2-13)
Game Details:
Fri., Jan. 5 vs Toronto (4:15 pm OUA.tv)
Sat., Jan. 6 vs TMUÂ (2:15Â pm OUA.tv)
Current Streaks:
York - Loss 4
Toronto - Loss 2
TMUÂ - Loss 2
Quick Facts:
York:
- York leads the conference in short-handed goals (4).
- Kaitlin Teixeira is 2nd in OUA Rookies with 7 points.
Toronto:
- Toronto's 154 PIM is 2nd most in the OUA.
- Natasha Athanasakos's 0.88 points per game is 9th in the OUA.
TMU:
- TMU's power play is second last in the OUA (4.3%).
- Emily Baxter is 2nd in the OUA in goals (8).
Lions to Watch:
#16 SYDNEY HILTZ: Third-year forward... In 14 games played, she has recorded a career high two goals, one assist and three points, tallying her first goal of the season on Nov. 18 against Waterloo in the Lions 6-3 victory... In her third season with the Lions she has become an integral part of the on-ice leadership providing lots of speed and hard work.
#11 JULIA CUCCIA: Third-year forward... Leading the Lions with five goals this season, she has recorded one assist and six points in 14 games played... Her first mulit-point game of the season came on Nov. 10 against Ontario Tech in the Lions 4-0 victory... She has set a career high goals and looks to break that record with several games left on the schedule.
