2009-10 NEWS RELEASES

UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Sunday, February 14, 2010

Ridgebacks oh so close to a major upset

Women’s Hockey: Laurier defeated UOIT 2-1

WATERLOO, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks women’s hockey team almost shocked the CIS nation on Sunday as they met the undefeated Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo. Tied 1-1 in the third period, Laurier managed to avoid the major upset as they scored with five minutes left in the game to pull out a one goal victory.

The teams entered the game on other ends of the spectrum as Laurier (26-0-0) had a perfect record on the line while UOIT (4-18-5) was playing out the stretch being eliminated from the playoffs.

Surprising the hometown crowd, UOIT was first to get on the board as Vanessa Johnstone (Niagara Falls, Ont.) scored her third goal of the year 6:25 into the game. Johnstone beat Laurier veteran goalie Liz Knox on a heads up play, banking a backhand off the goalies skate from behind the net to get the Ridgebacks on the board. Whitby natives Sarah Worthington and Jill Morillo picked up assists on the play.

UOIT would hold on to the lead up until midway though the second period when Caitlin Muirhead of Laurier scored to tie the game up at 1-1.

Laurier would break the tie at the 14:44 mark in the third period when Paula Lagamba (Toronto, Ont.) scored the game winner, putting the Golden Hawks one win shy of completing the perfect regular season (regular season finale on Monday).

Emma Thompson (Hastings, Ont.) stood on her head for UOIT making 44 saves in the loss. The second year Ridgeback goalie moved into eighth position in the OUA charts with a .909 save percentage in 15 appearances.

Liz Knox stopped 19 of 20 Ridgebacks shots in her 24th win of the year. Final shots in the game were 46-20.

Only one penalty was called in that game in which UOIT was able to fight off.

Heading into the final day of the regular season with one game on the schedule, Ridgebacks rookie Jill Morillo is in the lead for OUA freshman scoring along with Queen’s forward Morgan McHaffie who have 24 points apiece.

 Despite finishing the year on a lengthy losing streak, the Ridgebacks have managed to compete hard in every game with four of their past six losses decided by only one goal.

Sunday’s loss to Laurier closes out the season for UOIT, as they finished with 13 points, the most in program history.

GAME RECAPS

(W) UOIT 1 At (W) Laurier 2 - Status: Final
Feb 14, 2010 - Sun Life Arena, Waterloo Recreation Complex

UOIT 1 0 0 - 1
Laurier 0 1 1 - 2

1st Period
1, UOIT, Johnstone 3 (Worthington, Morillo), 6:28

2nd Period
2, Laurier, Muirhead 5 (Shirriff, Mommersteeg), 11:53

3rd Period
3, Laurier, Lagamba 7 (Crago, Skeats), 14:44

Shots on Goal
UOIT 7-7-6-20
Laurier 14-18-14-46

Power Play Opportunities
UOIT 0 of 0
Laurier 0 of 1

Goalies
UOIT, Thompson 3-9-1 (46 shots-44 saves)
Laurier, Knox 24-0-0 (20 shots-19 saves)

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS

Overall Record: 4-21-5
Conference Record: 4-18-5

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca