The quest for the McCaw cup continues for the York University Lions women's hockey team after playing excellent quarter-final hockey, to continue on to the OUA semi-finals against the Waterloo Warriors.

Taking down the No.1 seeded Nipissing Lakers in a series sweep, the Lions first defeating the Lakers on the road in over time, courtesy of Sydney Paulson who was quick to find the back of the net, they then defended home ice with a well deserved 6-1 victory. Emma Wedgewood, a name that has been on the radar all season, was outstanding in the series making 78 saves on 79 shots, leading her team to the next round.

Meeting up twice already this season, the York Lions and Waterloo Warriors now find themselves in an all important series. Win and head to the McCaw Cup and earn a spot at U SPORTS National Championship; lose and your season is over. 

Their first match-up came on Nov. 3 at Canlan Ice Sports, and was also the Lions first win of the 2023-24 season. Kaitlin Teixeira, a rookie standout, was the first one on the game sheet just 6:38 into the game, and Sara McLennan was quick to double the lead four minutes later. The Warriors attempted a come back but only managed one goal, and the Lions came out with a 2-1 victory.

Three weeks later they were back at it, this time in Waterloo for Hockeyfest. The game was a lot tighter through 40 minutes. Each team scored one in the first, and then the Lions led 3-1 in the second but Waterloo muscled a comeback to tie 3-3 heading into the third. It was the final 20 minutes that was the difference maker for York as Lola Massey broke the tied score, before Julia Cuccia and Natalie Mamone added to the score for a 6-3 victory.

Kicking off the series in Waterloo, the Warriors are also coming off a series sweep against the Laurier Golden Hawks.

The difference maker in this series; teamwork.

The on-ice connections from the York line-up has been outstanding. Their ability to move the puck quickly up the ice, while getting every women back on defence was a difference maker in their series against the Lakers. The Lions have also proven that they have several key players in their line-up, making it harder for other teams to pin point one player to shut down.

Six different goal scorers were on the sheet for their Friday victory; Kaitlin Teixeira, Jillian Milligan, Sydney Hiltz, Sydney Paulson, Alexa Giantsopoulos and Lola Massey. Ava Ricker-Singh stepped up big on the blue-line along with Sara McLennan, shutting out their opposition in the slot and around the blue paint.

Paulson currently is second in the OUA post season in goals (two), while Nicole York is fourth in the OUA in assists (two). Wedgewood is second in the OUA with a 0.45 goals-against average, 78 saves, .987 save percentage, and leads the league with a 1.000 win percentage.

Who the Lions need to look out for; Leah Herrfort and Tatum James.

Herrfort led the Warriors this season with 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists), closely followed by James' 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists). Herrfort finished the OUA regular season in third for goals, points and game-winning goals, while sitting tied for first with two short-handed goals. Currently, she is tied for first in the post season with three points (one goal, two assists). James finished the OUA season in second for assists, fourth for points and empty net goals. Currently, she is tied for first in the OUA post season with three points (one goal, two assists).

The series starts on Wednesday evening at Columbia Ice Fields in Waterloo for a 7:00 pm puck drop. Game two is scheduled for Saturday evening at 7:00 pm at Canlan Ice Sports.