The Windsor Lancers women's hockey team couldn't overcome a hot start by the Nippissing Lakers Sunday afternoon, falling 4-1 on home ice.
 
The Lakers scored three goals in the first period and never looked back. The Lancers fought hard the whole way, but the early deficit proved to be too much.
 
The first period was a rough one for the blue and gold, with the Lakers doubling their shot total, 10-5 in the first frame.  With the early pressure came an early goal when Nipissing's Malory Dominico beat Molly Jenkins at the 2:59 mark in the first, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead. The Lakers doubled their lead shortly after the halfway mark in the period, this time it was Britney Zack potting the puck to put Nippissing up 2-0. Not even 90 seconds later, Dominico scored her second, giving her Lakers a 3-0 lead at the break.
 
The Lancers were much more offensively minded in the second, as well as more stout defensively, controlling the pace of the game. The Lancers' improved play was rewarded when Jessica Gribbon tipped one past Nippissing's Danika Ranger on a powerplay to make it 3-1. Later in the period, the Lancers were awarded a penalty shot at the 15:29 mark but Maggi DeWolf-Russ couldn't beat Ranger and it remained a 3-1 hockey game heading into the third period.
 
The Lancers offense was stymied again in the third period. Needing two goals, the Lancers managed just five shots and Ranger was up to task on all of them. The Lancers pulled their goalie hoping for a major comeback but got an empty net goal instead, dropping the game 4-1.
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers head to London to take on the Western Mustangs in another afternoon clash. Puck drop is scheduled or Saturday, February 1st at 2:30 p.m., and fans can catch all the action at www.OUA.tv.