WATERLOO, Ont. - For the first time this season, the Golden Hawks have dropped consecutive games, as they failed to get back into the win column on Wednesday night against the visiting York Lions.
A great defensive performance by York helped them build a 3-0 lead heading into the final frame, and a great third period by Laurier wasn't enough to mount a comeback as they fell 3-1.
The Golden Hawks dominated possession to begin the game, but struggled to get pucks to the next as the Lions were excellent at collapsing around their own net. Laurier's best chance came when Emerie Maltby tipped a pass through her own legs to Emily Olson in front of the net, but York's defenders were right there to prevent a shot.
It was the Lions who struck first, as Alexa Giantsopoulos cut in front of goaltender Acadia Carlson, who made a nice poke check which unfortunately landed right on the stick of Sydney Paulson for an easy tap-in.
The score was 1-0 heading into the second.
An early powerplay yielded plenty of chances for Laurier, including a Chloe Davidson tip on a Kylie Laliberte shot that just glanced off York goaltender Dominique Chaqui's shoulder.
The Golden Hawks would get another chance on the woman advantage, but it was the Lions who would capitalize on another unlucky play by Carlson. York's Lexy Anonech chased down a long dump in and beat Carlson who was out of her net to play it. The goaltender made a great effort to get back in position but couldn't get to the far post in time for the save.
Laurier poured on the pressure in the final minute of the period, but still trailed 2-0 heading into the third.
The lead would grow again just three minutes into the final frame when the Lions converted on a powerplay.
Just minutes later, Laurier answered back. Olson fired a shot from the left faceoff dot which rebounded onto Maltby's stick. The second-year centre made no mistake as she slid the puck past Chaqui for her second of the year.
The assist was not, in fact, Olson's first, but her third. The transfer from SUNY Morrisville attributes the immediate impact she's been able to make to the "positive and hardworking environment" she's stepped into.
Maltby's goal seemed to give the Golden Hawks new life, as they generated a flurry of chances. Leading the way were forwards Olivia MacMillan and Grace Sumi, who manager of women's hockey operations and head coach Kelly Paton "really drove the intensity that we've been able to bring up front with their forechecking, we've been really pleased with their consistency in that area of the game."
Despite the increased urgency and two late powerplay chances, Laurier couldn't find the back of the net again before the final buzzer sounded.
"Going into a third period in any form of deficit, you've got to play with some level of urgency to get yourself back competitive," said Paton about her team's late push.
"The bigger message for us is around the pattern that we've been seeing over the last few games - our inability to get have starts on time and start playing with the lead," she continued.
"We're just a little loose on details right now with things that we need consistently to win. So hopefully we can have a good practice tomorrow and then Friday we can reset and reestablish those winning habits."
With the loss, the Golden Hawks drop to 7-3 on the season and second in the OUA West division. The Lions, meanwhile, improve to 3-6.
THREE STARS
1st Star: Alexa Giantsopoulos, York Lions – 1 assist
2nd Star: Emerie Maltby, Laurier Golden Hawks – 1 goal
3rd Star: Lexy Anonech, York Lions – 1 goal
UP NEXT
The purple and gold will be back in action on Friday when they make the trip down highway 7 to face the Guelph Gryphons, who now have sole possession of the OUA West lead. A Laurier win would move the two teams back into a tie.
"We just can't take this loss lightly, but we can't take it too heavy," said Olson. "You have to bounce back pretty quick, but knowing the girls, we can do it."
Puckdrop is set for 7:30 p.m. at Gryphon Centre Arena. Follow @WLUAthletics for live updates and catch all the action on OUA.tv.
