WATERLOO, Ont. - WATERLOO, Ont. - The Golden Hawks come up just short in a hard-fought 2-1 battle against the York Lions on home ice Saturday night, snapping their four-game win streak.

The opening period saw both teams trade penalties, with Laurier killing off two infractions and going 0-for-2 on their power-play chances. 

The Golden Hawks generated dangerous scoring opportunities on scrambles in front of the net but could not convert.

An unfortunate bounce off a Laurier stick in the second frame kept the puck in the defensive zone, allowing York to capitalize. 

Laurier goaltender Kayla Renaud made the initial save on a shot from the far boards, but the rebound popped out into the slot and landed right on the stick of Trynity Turner, who buried it to put the Lions ahead 1-0. 

The goal shifted momentum in York's favour, but the purple and gold responded in another highlight-reel fashion. Olivia MacMillan weaved her way through the defence and roofed the puck top shelf to tie the game at one with her fifth goal of the year heading into the final frame. 

W??: GOAL ?? Olivia MacMillan dangles her way to the front of the net to tie the game ??! 1-1. #SoarAbove | #WLUvsYRK pic.twitter.com/4UB7Dzbxek

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) February 2, 2025

The Lions reclaimed the lead early in the third period when Jillian Milligan found herself alone in the slot and finished off a centring pass from behind the net. 

The Golden Hawks pushed for the equalizer, but a late power-play opportunity and an extra attacker in the final moments weren't enough, as York held on for the win.

"This is the first game in a while that we've hit adversity in terms of being down a goal, so it's a good learning process for us to go through," said Laurier's manager of women's hockey operations and head coach Kelly Paton. "The outcome wasn't ideal, but I thought the process of the game was fine for us today."

MacMillan, who scored Laurier's lone goal, credited her teammates for setting up the play.

"It just started with our forecheck. Jackson did a good job getting the puck off the wall, and I think Chisholm got a touch on it too, which helped me take the puck wide and finish the play." 

Laurier will look to get back in the win column as they continue their push toward the playoffs, knowing that every point in the standings matters. 

"As a group, we are very aware of the importance of being in the top three, and we also know where the points are," Paton added. "Every game's a big one for us at this point in the season."

The Golden Hawks are back in action at home on Friday, February 7, when they take on the Carleton Ravens. 

The action can be caught at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available at tickets.laurierathletics.com

The game will also be streamed live on OUA.tv with real-time updates available on X at @WLUAthletics.