WATERLOO, Ont. - The #8-ranked Golden Hawks' four-game win streak came to an end on Saturday night with a hard-fought 4-3 loss to the Queen's Gaels.
Despite the setback, there was still reason to celebrate as captain Hayley Szymanowski and alternate captain Olivia MacMillan each suited up for their 100th career OUA game.
Coming off an emotional overtime victory against their cross-town rivals the night before, Laurier looked to carry that momentum into Saturday's matchup.
The Hawks struck first when Jersie Lindley tapped in a rebound off a shot from Claire Robinson, but the Gaels responded shortly after, as Sara Di Filippo's screened point shot found its way through traffic to even the score at one.
Both goaltenders came up with key stops to keep the game tied until midway through the second period when Queen's took its first lead. Taya Leonard found herself alone in the slot and roofed a shot from her knees to make it 2–1.
Laurier answered back less than two minutes later with a highlight-reel tally of their own. After a strong keep at the blue line from Kara den Hoed, the puck bounced to Elle Spencer, who controlled it while falling and managed to lift a shot over the shoulder of goaltender Emma Tennant, helping the Golden Hawks head into the second intermission tied at two.
However, the Gaels came out firing in the third, regaining the lead just 43 seconds in when Mikayla Cranney snuck a shot from the goal line past a sprawling Kathryn Raitano.
Moments later, Leonard broke free on a breakaway and scored her second of the night to extend the Queen's lead to two.
Refusing to go quietly, Laurier poured on the pressure, firing 15 shots in the final frame with tons of offensive zone possession. With just over six minutes remaining, the Golden Hawks opted to pull their goaltender for an extra attacker. The strategy paid off when Szymanowski buried a shot blocker-side to bring Laurier within one with just over a minute left, but the late push fell short.
"It was all about timing, and we wanted to give ourselves a chance," said Laurier's manager of women's hockey operations and head coach Kelly Paton.
"We got the goalie out to give ourselves lots of time with the extra player, and obviously, we were hoping to get one more, but their goalie made big saves for them. I really believe she was the difference maker in today's game."
Tennant was stellar in net for the Gaels, turning aside 45 shots in the win, while Raitano made 23 saves in a strong effort for Laurier.
Despite the loss, the night carried special meaning for both veteran leaders.
"Just over my time being here and watching the team grow, it's been amazing to see where we're at now," Szymanowski reflected. "Being able to have all these memories with everyone here is something I'm really proud to be a part of."
"Honestly, it feels a little unreal," added MacMillan. "I wasn't sure I'd come back for a fifth year, but I decided to pursue my master's degree here. I'm just really thankful for the opportunity, and we've got a really good group of girls this year. Everyone's buying into what Coach Kelly's been saying, and we're a team that's never going to give up."
The Golden Hawks will now prepare for their Eastern Ontario road trip, beginning with a Halloween night matchup against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
