OSHAWA, Ont. - For the first time in program history the UOIT women's hockey team swept the season series with Laurier after a 3-0 shutout on Saturday afternoon.
 
Heading into this year, UOIT's win-loss record was 1-24 over nine seasons against the Golden Hawks. With Sunday's victory, UOIT went 2-0 versus the Golden Hawks this season.
 
UOIT will close out their regular season on Sunday afternoon against the Waterloo Warriors and will look to hit 10 conference wins for the first time since the 2013-14 season. The Ridgebacks sit in tenth place overall and are eliminated from postseason play.
 
Freshman Briar Hughes (Thornton, Ont.) made 24 saves for her first career OUA shutout. In 12 games this season, Hughes has posted a 6-4 record with a 3.14 goals against average.
 
This was UOIT's first shutout in conference play since Oct. 31, 2014 when Tori Campbell (Saskatoon, Sask.) made 25 saves against Nipissing.
 
Nicole Zabel (Palmerston, Ont.) would get UOIT on the board 13:52 in the first period with her second goal of the year as her point shot deflected off a Laurier defender and in the back of the net. Chelsea Ball (Maple, Ont.) and Kassidy Nauboris (Brampton, Ont.) recorded assists on the power play goal.
 
Less than two minutes later, Nicole Gorda (Edmonton, Alta.) would score off a rebound giving the Ridgebacks a 2-0 lead. Grace Donaldson (St. Thomas, Ont.) took the initial shot, giving her two assists on the year.
 
Gorda would record the first multi-goal game of her career with another strike in the second period, but it was linemate Jenna Carter (Whitby, Ont.) who did most of the work. With Laurier goaltender Amanda Smith behind the net playing the puck, Carter stole it and fed Gorda in the slot who had a wide-open net.
 
Laurier would fire 14 shots on goal in the third period but the Ridgebacks managed to keep the Golden Hawks off the board.
 
UOIT went 1-for-2 on the power play while Laurier went 0-for-4. Final shots finished 24-23 in favour of Laurier.
 
The Ridgebacks will honour their graduating seniors prior to Sunday's game against Waterloo. The ceremony is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 10-12-6
Conference Record: 9-9-5
 
Next game: Sunday, Feb. 19 vs. Waterloo (3:30 PM – Oshawa, Ont.)