OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT women's hockey team lost 3-1 to the nationally ranked Brock Badgers Saturday afternoon at the Campus Ice Centre.
 
The Ridgebacks outshot the Badgers 42-22, including two 16-shot periods in the first and third, but Brock's goaltender Jensen Murphy made 41 saves, limiting the Ridgebacks to one goal.
 
Brock opened the scoring in the first period when Becca Hogan snuck one through the legs of Ridgebacks goaltender, Briar Hughes (Thornton, Ont.) with 6:42 left in the period. Despite their efforts in the offensive zone the Ridgebacks were held off the board until the third period.
 
The Badgers added to their lead midway into the second period with a goal from Christina Leradi. The goal was a result of a two-on-one where Christina Leradi buried a one-time pass from her line mate, Amanda Leradi.
 
With UOIT trying to decrease their deficit, Alex Frigon (Dartmouth, N.S.) lit the lamp to put the Ridgebacks on the board with three minutes left in the game. As the Ridgebacks continued to apply pressure, Hughes made her way to the bench to bring on the extra attacker. The Badgers jumped on the empty net and secured their win with their third goal from Kailey Peirson.
 
"We are doing all the right things and having good games, we just need to find a way to come out on the winning side of things," said Ridgebacks head coach Justin Caruana. "It's important we continue to let the girls know that they are playing well and doing all the right stuff and that things will turn in our favour eventually."
 
Hughes finished the game with 21 saves, while Nicole Zabel (Palmerston, Ont.) picked up a point with an assist on the Ridgebacks lone goal.
 
The Ridgebacks will continue to try and shake their four-game slump on Friday night at home against the Windsor Lancers. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 5-16-2
Conference Record: 5-9-2
 
Next Game: Friday, Jan. 19 vs. Windsor Lancers (7:30 PM – Campus Ice Centre)