The York University Lions women's hockey team faced a continued its weekend road trip on Saturday night, as they took on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks at the Campus Ice Centre in Oshawa. Coming off two straight overtime wins to open 2025, the Lions were looking to build momentum against the Ridgebacks, who entered the game holding down fourth place in the OUA East standings with a 4-9-2-0 record. 

The Ridgebacks seized control early, netting two power play goals in the first period. Mackenna Krulicki opened the scoring with a power-play goal – her third marker of the year – at 13:39, assisted by Harrie Jones. Then, with time winding down in the opening frame, Ontario Tech's Julianne Davidson doubled the lead, converting another power-play opportunity, with Kayla Welk and Milana Perri assisting on Davidson's first of the campaign to make it 2-0 Ridgebacks through 20. 

York tightened their defense in the second period, keeping Ontario Tech off the scoreboard. However, despite outshooting the home side 17-7 in the middle frame, the Lions struggled to capitalize on their offensive chances, including four of their season-high 10 power-play opportunities. That meant the Lions still found themselves down a pair after two. 

Lola Massey finally broke through for the Lions at 5:36 of the third with a power-play goal. Massey collected a puck in her feet up high, moved down the left-wing wall and threw one on net that eluded Ariela Merlino to cut the Ridgeback lead in half. However, that was as close as the Lions would get, as Merlino turned aside 36 of the 37 shots she faced in a 2-Ontario Tech victory.  

LOOKING AHEAD: 
The Lions, fifth in the OUA West and now eight points behind Laurier for the final playoff spot, will look to bounce back when they visit the Nipissing Lakers on Friday night. Puck drops at 6:00 pm from Memorial Gardens in North Bay.