In their first road trip of the season, the Lancer women's hockey team split their road games against the Nipissing Lakers and TMU Bold.
 
Windsor fell to the Lakers 4-3 Friday night before rebounding on Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Bold in Toronto.
 
Windsor is now 1-3 on the season.
 
FRIDAY
The Lancers got off to a quick start as they went into the Lakers zone looking to strike. Forward, Jessica Gribbon caught the Lakers goalie, Chantelle Sandquist off guard with a quick shot to put the Lancers in a 1-0 early lead. With the fast pace set by the blue and gold, Nipissing went on to find their chance at scoring opportunities to keep up. Nipissing's, Madison Desmerais attempted to make a shorthand shot after Maria Dominico stole the puck, however Windsor's goaltender, Holly Borrett stood grounded for an easy save. The Lancers held a 1-0 lead over the Lakers for the first intermission.
 
In the second period, the Lakers started to settle into a rhythm as the Lancers searched for another opening. Nipissing went on the attack after a shot was deflected and Maggie McKee scored for a goal off the rebound to make her first OUA debut and also tie the game even, 1-1. As the Lakers gradually took over in possession, the Lancers struggled to set up any pressure. At the end, the Lakers quick turnover put the blue and gold at a 2-1 deficit.
 
Windsor came out of the break refreshed and keep their momentum moving forward. Keana McKibbon would get an opportunity within the first minute of the period to tie the game up. As the Lancers would find another gear, Elissa Benjamin went on a breakaway, but Sandquist would not allow the puck to go through. With 2:04 left in the game, Keana McKibbon would get her second goal of the game to even the game out again for the Lancers. Yet just as Windsor believed they could find their way on top of the board, the Lakers scored one more time to break the tie and the Lancers fell 4-3.
 
SATURDAY
Windsor held the advantage in the first as the Bold would be called for multiple penalties the put the blue and gold at an advantage. Although the Lancers struggled to make a play and get many shots on net, Kristen Swiatochik helped keep the game at zero with her ability to deflect the puck and prevent Toronto Metropolitain from scoring. The game was deadlocked at zero after 20 minutes of play.
 
The second period had the Bold and the Lancers gradually pick up the pace and open up the play. The Bold were able to score first when a one-timer shot by Dani Fox flew by goalie Kristen Swiatochik and not able to stop the puck on time. As the Lancers started to pick up the momentum and take command of the game, more attempts more made especially by assistant captain, Maggie Peterson to move the puck towards the net. At 10:56 on the clock, Taylor Leitch made Lancers first goal of the game to tie the period 1-1 heading into the last break.
 
The final period had both teams set on the offensive attack to increase their chances to capitalize. After the blue and gold earned a penalty shot, Maggie Peterson stood tall for the Lancers and with a fake shot, got past the Bold's goalie, Jayden Lawson and moved the Lancers into a 2-1 lead with 6 minutes left in regulation. In the final play, TMU almost tied the game again with shot that hit the post. After an eventful period, the Lancers were able to put the game away and add a 2-1 win into their column.
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers will host the Laurier Golden Hawks on Friday, November 4th and Saturday, November 5th at the Capri Pizzeria Complex beginning at 7:30 pm.