OSHAWA, Ont. – On a night where the Ridgebacks celebrated the career of former captain Jill Morillo, there was not much to celebrate on the ice as the Ridgebacks fell 4-2 to the Brock Badgers.
 
Morillo's No. 12 was honoured prior to the game as the UOIT athletic department recognized all of her accomplishments on and off the ice. The two-time athlete of the year and CIS all-Canadian was humbled by the honour and thanked her former teammates and coaches for all of the support she received over her five-year career.
 

Congratulations Jill!!! #ridgebackpride????

A video posted by UOIT Ridgebacks (@uoitridgebacks) on Feb 3, 2017 at 5:08pm PST

 It seemed as if the Badgers were inspired by the pregame ceremony as all four of their goals were scored in the first period. Brock scored three goals in the opening 12 minutes, capped off by a shorthanded marker from Christina Ieradi at 11:32.
 
The Ridgebacks would respond back on the power play at 15:05 when Kassidy Nauboris (Brampton, Ont.) notched her 15th goal of the season. Mikaeli Cavell (Edmonton, Alta.) and Natasha Tymcio (Caledon, Ont.) assisted the goal.
 
With time winding down in the first, Brock would take the wind out of UOIT's sail as Cara Sayles scored on the power play.
 
Over the next two periods, UOIT controlled the play but the three-goal deficit was too much to overcome. Brock goaltender would only allow a Sam Forchielli (Hamilton, Ont.) third period goal as she made 32 saves in her eighth win of the season.
 
With 15 goals, Nauboris is fourth in league scoring. She has the second highest single-season goal total, trailing only Morillo who had 17 goals in 2011-12.
 
Briar Hughes (Thornton, Ont.) got the start for UOIT but was pulled after allowing three Badger goals on seven shots. Tori Campbell (Saskatoon, Sask.) came into the game in relief and made 11 saves on 12 shots. This was Campbell's first action since Nov. 20.
 
Brock was 2-for-4 on the power play while UOIT went 1-for-3 and allowed a shorthanded goal.
 
UOIT's playoff hopes took a hit as they sit in tenth place, six points behind the eighth-place Laurentian Voyageurs. Brock is in ninth, five points up on UOIT.
 
The Ridgebacks have four games remaining in the regular season including two road games next weekend against Windsor and Western. UOIT's final games of the season are at home from Feb. 18-19.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 8-11-6
Conference Record: 7-8-5
 
Next game: Saturday, Feb. 11 @ Windsor (4:10 PM – Windsor, Ont.)