September 29
IT’S A FIRST – UOIT RIDGEBACKS WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM MAKES OUA DEBUT
OSHAWA – It was an afternoon to remember for the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) women’s hockey team and their newest fans, as university hockey officially arrived in Durham Region when the Ridgebacks skated to a 3-2 overtime loss to the Western Mustangs (London), during their historic debut in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) action.
The Ridgebacks hit the ice with energy and momentum, boosted by a packed crowd at the Campus Ice Centre. The first ever regular season Ridgeback goal happened at 5:27 of the first period, as assistant captain Sarah Carter (Newtonville) opened the scoring. Unfortunately the lead was short lived, as Western was able to tie the score on the power play with only seconds remaining in the period. The Mustangs scored the only goal of the second period shorthanded and took the play to the Ridgebacks in the third period as they out shot UOIT 15-7. However, behind the spectacular goaltending of hometown favourite Carleigh Taggart (Oshawa), the ladies were able to tie the game with just under ten minutes to play on a nice passing play between Carling Jeyes (Little Britain) and Rikki Palmateer (Cobourg) sending the hometown crowd into a frenzy and eventually the game into overtime. In the fourth period, the Ridgebacks got their signals crossed at their own blue line and Western made them pay at the 1:06 mark.
“I was very pleased with our team’s effort today; all the girls really understood how special today’s game was and what it means to UOIT varsity sports,” said head coach Gary Pitcher. “These girls will forever hold a place in our program’s history as the first to lace up for the Ridgebacks and they are representing UOIT incredibly well. It was great to see fans in the stands, cheering on these skilled and talented young women. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The women’s OUA debut is the result of three years of planning and preparation for UOIT’s entry into both men’s and women’s varsity hockey. The Ridgebacks of UOIT were officially accepted as the 19th member of the OUA in early 2006.
Several top-ranked players made their on-ice debut with the Ridgebacks following a Canada-wide recruitment process. Some of the highly-skilled athletes to watch for throughout the season include defensemen Megan Friel (Pickering) and forwards Chrissy Tereshyn (Scarborough) and Palmateer.
“This first game of the women’s hockey season represents a new chapter in varsity sports at UOIT,” said Ken Babcock, athletic director at UOIT. “With the men’s team ready to take to the ice for its first-ever game in October, UOIT students, staff and faculty, and hockey fans in Durham Region can take pride in these hockey teams for many years to come. The OUA is widely considered to be among the highest levels of sports competition available in the province. This is a real opportunity for Durham sports fans to catch some tremendous hockey.”
The Ridgebacks will not rest for long, as they play their second game of the season tomorrow, September 30, at 1:30 p.m. when they take on the University of Windsor at the Campus Ice Centre. The men’s team will debut on Friday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. as they host Queen’s University in their home opener.
The UOIT Ridgebacks currently field men’s and women’s teams in hockey, rowing, and tennis as they set out to build a winning tradition in the OUA as well as nationally in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) by attracting the best student-athletes, coaches and staff to campus with a common focus on excellence.
The momentous game kicked off with a ceremonial puck drop featuring UOIT president Dr. Ronald Bordessa, UOIT Student Association president Fraser McArthur and Babcock. Joining the UOIT dignitaries was special guest Glenn Coady, whose suggestion of the Ridgebacks as a varsity team name for UOIT was chosen from more than 300 submissions.
Commemorative pucks, designed to mark the monumental occasion, were handed out to the first 100 fans to enter the Campus Ice Centre.
Game Summary
First Period
UOIT: Sarah Carter, (1) (Bruetsch, Edwards), 5:27
WES: Trimm-Combes, (1) (Emanuele), 19:59 (PP)
Second Period
WES: Seedhouse, (1) (Emanuele) 6:25 (SH)
Third Period
UOIT: Carling Jeyes, (1) (Palmateer, Bell), 10:18
Over Time
WES: Weisshaar, (1), 1:06
Shots On Goal
UOIT 11 10 7 0 - 28
Western 10 8 15 1 - 34
Ridgebacks Conference Record: 0-0-0-1
Ridgebacks Overall Record: 0-2-0-1
Next Home Action @ Campus Ice Centre: September 30 vs. Windsor Lancers @ 1:30pm
-30-
About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 5,000 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five
Cory Lusted
Sports Information & Marketing Officer
Athletic Department @ Durham College/ UOIT
cory.lusted@dc-uoit.ca
(905) 721-3111 x. 2784