Box Score Thursday night's OUA quarter final matchup between the Lancer women's hockey team and the Guelph Gryphons saw both teams play strong defence throughout, with Windsor taking an early lead and holding on for the hard-fought 3-2 victory.
 
Windsor now takes a 1-0 lead in the best of three matchup, with game two set to take place this Saturday February 18th at 4:10pm at South Windsor Arena.
 
Leading the Lancers in scoring was Jane Gaffney, who netted two goals on the evening, with Ally Strickland tallying the third. Candace Rapchak, Manon Davis, Candice Chevalier, and Kayla Dodson were all credited with an assist on the night.
 
The first period opened with both teams getting early scoring chances and Windsor getting a quick goal from Strickland, with assists going to Chevalier and Dodson. Windsor maintained their 1-0 advantage heading into the break thanks to an 11-6 shot advantage.
 
In the second, Windsor again got out to a fast start, coming inches away from extending their lead in the opening minutes. A turnover in the Gryphon end turned into a two on one for the Lancers, and after some nifty moves behind the net, Rapchak found Gaffney in the slot to extend the Lancers to lead 2-0.
 
From there, the Gryphons pumped Lancer goaltender Julia Ouroumis with shots, eventually putting one past year to cut the Lancer lead in half heading into the third period.
 
Both teams came out of the third playing strong defence, with scoring opportunities coming at a premium. Windsor scored their third goal of the game after a Guelph turnover led to a great individual effort by Windsor's Davis, which was finished by Gaffney jamming home her second of the game.
 
A solid Lancer defence prevented the Gryphons from getting any quality shots on net, as Guelph tried to cut into the Lancer lead.
 
Jessica Pinkerton scored her second goal of the game for the Gryphons with just over a minute remaining to make it a one goal game. The Lancers held off the Gryphon attack in the final minute to earn the win.

Ouroumis made 28 saves in net for Windsor to earn the win.
 
The puck will drop for game two at 4:10pm on Saturday at South Windsor Arena. Tickets for the game are available at the door starting at 3:15pm. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors, and $2 for University of Windsor students with a valid student card. Fans are asked to please note that season passes and all-sport passes are not valid for the post season.