Morillo jumps into the top ten in OUA career goals

OUA Women's Hockey: Windsor defeated UOIT 4-3

OSHAWA, Ont. - Jill Morillo of the UOIT women's hockey team moved into the top ten on the OUA all-time goal scoring charts Friday night at the Campus Ice Centre in a 4-3 loss to the University of Windsor.

The Ridgebacks had a tough start as the Lancers took the lead in the first minute of the game courtesy of a goal from Candice Chevalier. UOIT would continue to look sluggish throughout the first two periods as the Lancers would go on to record three more goals including a second for Chevalier on a power play late in the second period.

However, UOIT showed a renewed vigour in the third period as they began to find openings and started to go on the attack. Zoe Battie (Nanaimo, B.C.) opened the scoring for the Ridgebacks one minute into the third period, while captain Jill Morillo (Whitby, Ont.) would add a power play marker a mere two minutes later.

The goal is Morillo's 58th of her career, moving her into the top ten for all-time goal scoring in the OUA. She is now tied with Andrea Ironside (2005-10) of Laurier and Lori Dupuis (1991-97) of Toronto.

Sarah Worthington (Whitby, Ont.) added the final Ridgeback goal in the last minute of the game with the extra attacker on the ice. UOIT looked for the equalizer in the final seconds but time ran out on the improbable comeback.

Cassie Charette (Ottawa, Ont.) started in net for the Ridgebacks and recorded 24 saves including several spectacular efforts in the final frame. Windsor's Marissa Kozovski stopped 21 of 24 UOIT shots to earn her third straight win to start 2014.

Coming into the game, the two teams were tied for sixth place with 19 points apiece. With the win, Windsor (10-7-1) pulls ahead while UOIT (9-8-1) falls to seventh, three points in front of the Waterloo Warriors (6-7-4).

UOIT will look to respond from the loss quickly as they welcome the Western Mustangs to the Campus Ice Centre Saturday afternoon with puck drop set for 3:30 p.m.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 13-9-1
Conference Record: 9-8-1

Next Game: Sat. Jan. 18 vs. Western (3:30 p.m.)