On November 24, the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team faced the Waterloo Warriors for their first match against each other this Ontario University Athletics season. The Blues’ strong offense resulted in a triumph with the Blues overpowering the Warriors, adding to their current three-game winning streak.
What happened
The first period started on a positive note when Blues captain Taylor Trussler, assisted by third-year forward Aili McKeown and second-year forward Kaitlin McKnight, scored the night’s first goal just after five minutes into the game. It was Trussler’s fifth goal of the season.
The Warriors struggled to keep up with the Blues, who were on a roll, making a total of 17 shots throughout the first period. Blues goaltender Erica Fryer saved all three of the Warriors’ shots, safeguarding the net and ensuring the period ended with a 1–0 Blues lead.
The Warriors came back more aggressively in the second period, making a total of seven shots. However, their efforts were not enough to mount a comeback against the Blues. Just when the second period seemed to be ending with no goals from either side, Blues defender Caroline Eagles — assisted by McKeown and McKnight — scored the second goal of the night with less than four minutes remaining in the period.
One minute later, third-year forward Katy McKenna — assisted by third-year forward Abby Howland and defender Emma Potter — scored another goal, putting the Blues way ahead of the Warriors and concluding the second period with the Blues holding a 3–0 lead.
“I think we had a few slow moments but once we got our feet going, it was really good,” Trussler said in a post-game interview with The Varsity. She praised McKenna and Howland, noting that the final goal of the period caught her off guard.
The third period went back-and-forth between the two teams, with the Warriors eager to score. The Blues were given penalties for interference and hooking, and the Warriors were given penalties for cross-checking and head contact. The Blues’ defense stood strong with Fryer saving all nine of the Warrior shots yet again.
Overall, the game ended 3–0, with Fryer saving all 19 of the Warriors’ shots and McKeown and McKnight both making two assists.
What’s next
On December 2 and 3, the Blues will travel to North Bay to play against the Nipissing University Lakers, the fourth-ranked team nationwide on U SPORTS as of November 27.
“Next week is a big weekend for us. It’s gonna be two very tough games. So we just kind of have to take that momentum and grow with it,” Trussler said. The Blues will carry on and bring their spirit to the next game.
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