UOIT Ridgebacks News Release  PHOTO  ATTACHED!!! of Jennifer Campitelli who scored game winner today!!!!

November 3rd, 2007

UOIT WOMEN'S HOCKEY RECORDS FIRST EVER OUA VICTORY!  CAMPITELLI SCORES GAME WINNER!!  SCOTT RECORDS FIRST WIN IN GOAL FOR CANADA'S NEWEST UNIVERSITY!!

UOIT RIDGEBACKS                 4  
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO 2

Waterloo (OUA) - An Historic moment in UOIT Ridgebacks women's hockey happened today as the Ridgebacks played their best game of the year and came away from the Columbia Ice Fields at the University of Waterloo with their first win in team history.  Both teams came out strong in the first period exchanging scoring chances as well as penalites.  This made for a very exciting period as there were several great scoring chances.  With under 2 minutes left in the first period the Ridgebacks pounced on a power play as a the Ridgeback forwards worked the puck down low around the net which set up a great give and go by Rikki Palmateer ( Cobourg) and Kathleen Edwards (Whitby).  Kathleen fired a low hard shot from the slot which had eyes and found the far low corner of the Warriors net.  

The ridgebacks came out on a mission in the second period constantly applying pressure to the Warriors and creating turnover after turnover.  From the Ridgebacks forecheck waterloo became very frustrated as they could not get the puck out of their end and found themselves taking penalties.  The powerplay is something the Ridgebacks have really been working on in practice and it was evident today that the team is beginning to hit their stride. At 4:03 of the second period Jackie McArthur (Oshawa) scored her 4th goal of the season on another low shot from the point that made it's way right through and passed a screened waterloo goalie.  

The Ridgebacks kept the pressure on and continued to frustrate the University of Waterloo breakout by applying a great trap thus not allowing the Warriors to gain any speed through the neutral zone.  Jennifer Campitelli (Scarborugh) finished off a great 2nd period with the team's 3rd powerplay goal of the afternoon and evetual game winning goal. Campitelli took a loose puck from in front of the net and patiently waited until the Waterloo goalie over committed before roofing it into the net at 19:21 of the 2nd period.

The Ridgebacks were excited but understood they had another period to play before they could enjoy their first win.  Waterloo came out with  nothing to lose in the third and not wanting to be the team to give the Ridgebacks their first ever win.  At 8:45 of the third period Sarah Bryson of the Warriors ruined the shutout bid of UOIT goalie Melissa Scott by putting a wrist shot into the top corner of th net on the powerplay.  Ridgebacks showing trememdous character didn't let the Waterloo attack stop their efforts to get their first win and came right back down the ice scoring their 4th power play goal of the game.  It was a picture perfect passing play by Katie Grant ( Whitby) who set up Rikki Palmateer (Cobourg) at 9:46 of the third.  Grant, Palmateer and Carling Jeyes were playing together for the first time this season as the coaching staff were continuing to find some line combinations wtih some great chemistry.  

The Warriors continued to battle but Ridgeback Goalie Melissa Scott stood strong as the determined goalie had no problem carrying the team on her shoulders.  She continued to make big stop after big stop including a great glove save with under 10 minutes left that found the Waterloo player staring at an open net. Scott got across and made a game saving save.  Waterloo did add one more before the game was over.

But on this day the UOIT Ridgebacks were too strong and as the buzzer sounded to end the third period, a sea of blue found themselves on the ice celebrating the Ridgebacks first ever OUA victory.  "This is an historic day for UOIT and UOIT Women's Hockey, stated Athletic Director Ken Babcock.  "I am so proud of everyone involved!"

UOIT Head Coach Gary Pitcher had this to say "Today's victory was the result of excellent contributions by everyone involved in the program. It starts with excellent leadership and support by Athletic Director Ken Babcock and his department. The vision is carried out by dedicated coaching staffand finalized by hard work and contibution by every player on the team. A great day for UOIT hockey"

Game Three Star Selections!
1st star - Kathleen Edwards - (UOIT)
2nd star.  -  Melissa Scott - (UOIT)
3rd star. -  Sarah Bryson - (Waterloo)

Ridgebacks Conference Record: 1-8-0-1
Ridgebacks Overall Record: 1-10-0-1
Next Action: Nov. 4 @ WLU Golden Hawks 7:30pm
Next Home Action @ Campus Ice Centre: Nov. 25 vs. U of Toronto Varsity Blues @ 1:30pm