WATERLOO, Ont. - The Golden Hawks hosted the 9th place team in the OUA, the Western Mustangs, on Saturday afternoon.

This was the third and final game these two teams would play against each other in the 2023-2024 regular season. Back in October, the Golden Hawks won 1-0 in a shootout at home, whereas their next game, the Mustangs won 3-2 in overtime on their home ice.

The Golden Hawks were looking to break their four-game losing streak. However, the Mustangs brought the pressure and won the game 4-1.

The Golden Hawks were hot off the start, keeping most of the pressure in the Mustangs' end of the ice during the first period.

Elle Spencer and Ella Jackson had a 2-on-1 opportunity halfway through the first. After some sweet passes back and forth, Jackson's shot was saved by Western goaltender Brooke Vaccari.

Arielle Macdonald also had a few opportunities to take the lead during the first, however, she was shut down by Vaccari as well.

Although the play was dominated by the Golden Hawks, the Mustangs had a few chances themselves, including when Mustangs forward Adeline Kristoff had a breakaway opportunity, but the puck was saved by Laurier's netminder Kayla Renaud.

Kylie Laliberte would take the first penalty of the game, testing out the Golden Hawks penalty kill.

Although both teams had several good chances throughout the first, the period ended at a 0-0 tie, with Laurier having 12 shots on net, and Western with 6.

Though Laurier dominated in possession during the first period, the second seemed a lot more equal, with both teams continuing to have a lot of chances.

At the beginning of the period, Chloe Davidson skated the puck down the ice towards Vaccari, and got a shot off which just missed the net, which was almost rebounded in by Emerie Maltby, but Vaccari shut her down.

5:27 into the second, Haylie Kirkpatrick took a hooking penalty, allowing Laurier's power play to be utilized for the first time this game.

Although the Golden Hawks had several chances during this power play, Laurier couldn't get the puck past Vaccari.

With five minutes left in the second, the Mustangs sent the puck into the corner of Laurier's zone. After a fight in the corner, Kate Suitor sauced the puck over to Kylie Logan who was wide open in front of the net to tuck one away past Kayla Renaud, making it 1-0 for the Mustangs.

Just a minute later, the Mustangs took their second penalty of the game, giving the Golden Hawks the chance to tie it up.

Laurier had many chances during the power play, including Arielle Macdonald's slapshot from the blueline. However, they were unable to get past the Mustangs defence.

Once the Mustangs were off the penalty kill, they had a few chances themselves, including a shot from the point which hit the post of Laurier's net and bounced out; however, they were unable to increase their lead.

The third period started well but resulted in a golden crumble.

Early in the period, Rylee Crego passed the puck right in front of the Mustangs net to Ella Jackson, but she was unable to find the back of the net.

In the other zone, there was a scramble in front of Renaud's net, however, she was able to cover the puck with her glove, stopping the play.

The Mustangs continued to hold pressure which tested the Golden Hawks' defence. Laurier defender Claire Robinson blocked a huge shot in front of her net, keeping it at a 1-0 game.

Seven minutes into the final frame, Grace Sumi skated the puck towards Western's net. She set up a drop pass to Olivia MacMillan who took a shot, which was rebounded in by Sumi, making it a 1-1 game. This would be Sumi's third goal of the season.

Just a few minutes later, Kate Suitor took a shot at Renaud which was tipped in by Janique Labossiere, earning her second goal of the season and making it 2-1 for the Mustangs.

One minute later, Leah Barnard ripped a shot at Renaud which was rebounded in by Alana Tymochko, making it 3-1. This marked Tymochko's second goal of the season.

With 4:48 left in the third period, Kayla Renaud was pulled from the net to add an extra attacker on the ice.

However, the Mustangs seized this empty-net opportunity and Adeline Kristoff was able to find the net from just inside the blue line, scoring the Mustangs fourth and final goal of the night. This marked Kristoff's eighth goal of the season.

The Mustangs would win this game, marking this the Golden Hawks' fifth loss in a row. The shots were 24-13 in favour of the Golden Hawks.

When discussing next weekend's back-to back games - against Toronto Metropolitan University and York University the following night - Manager of women's hockey operations and head coach Kelly Paton explained it will be a "big weekend. It's points that, at this point, we can't afford to lose. It's really going to dictate what position we put ourselves in down the stretch here in these final four games".

THREE STARS

2nd Star: Janique LaBossiere, Western Mustangs – game-winning goal

3rd Star: Grace Sumi, Laurier Golden Hawks – 1 G

UP NEXT

The Golden Hawks head to Toronto on February 9 to take on the Toronto Metropolitan Bold at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Puck drop takes place at 6 p.m. TMU is currently in 12th place in the OUA.

Follow @WLUAthletics on X for live updates and find all the action live on OUA.tv.