Ridgebacks lose a barnburner to Laurier

OUA Women's Hockey: Laurier defeated UOIT 5-4

OSHAWA, Ont. – UOIT's game against Laurier in OUA women's hockey on Saturday night was a wild one as the No. 4 ranked Golden Hawks escaped with a 5-4 victory over the Ridgebacks.

Fifth year senior Devon Skeats of Whitby would score the game-winning goal with less than five minutes to go in the third period to give the Golden Hawks their third straight victory.

With Skeats in the penalty box in the final minute of play, the Ridgebacks had a glorious chance to tie the game with a scramble in front of the net created by a blast from the point by Melissa Berney (Bowmanville, Ont.). Laurier goaltender Amanda Smith was able to keep the puck out of the net after the Ridgebacks had several shots in the scrum.

Skeats would finish the night with two goals and an assist as she recorded two of her points on the power play. Senior defender Candice Styles also had a multi-point game with two assists. Other goal scorers for Laurier included Danelle Im, Erika Kiviaho and Jessie Hurrell.  

Trailing 4-2 in the second period, UOIT was able to battle back to tie the game at four's. Laura Marchese (Burlington, Ont.) recorded her first goal of her career, scoring for UOIT late in the second period. Jaclyn Gibson (Cobourg, Ont.) scored shorthanded four minutes into the third period. With four goals this season, Gibson is only one shy of her career high.

Sam Forchielli (Hamilton, Ont.) and Victoria MacKenzie (Toronto, Ont.) scored first period goals for UOIT. MacKenzie ended up with a goal and an assist while teammate Jenna Carter (Whitby, Ont.) had two assists.

Ridgeback starting goaltender Cassie Charette (Ottawa, Ont.) allowed four goals on 22 shots, before being pulled for freshman Tori Campbell (Lethbridge, Ont.). Campbell would make 14 saves and allowed only one goal, which was the game winner. Smith made 24 saves for Laurier.

Sarah Worthington (Whitby, Ont.) took all three UOIT penalties and Laurier managed to capitalize on two of them, with both power play markers coming in the second period. UOIT was 0-for-4 with the man advantage.

The Ridgebacks are 4-2-0 to start the season and sit tied with Laurier (4-1-0) for third place in the OUA conference standings.

UOIT will host the nationally ranked Queen's Gaels next Friday night at the Campus Ice Centre. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 8-3-0
Conference Record: 4-2-0

Next Game: Fri. Oct. 25 vs. Queen's (7:30 p.m.)

- 30 -