WATERLOO, Ont. - Back on home ice for the first time this season, the #7-ranked Golden Hawks delivered a dominant performance to earn a 5-1 win over the TMU Bold.
Despite outshooting TMU 21-4 in the first period, Laurier couldn't solve Alberta native Katie Frost, who got the nod between the pipes for the Bold and kept Laurier at bay early on.
It wasn't until the 8:47 mark of the second period that captain
Clara Chisholm ripped a shot off the post, collected her own rebound, and fired the puck in for her first goal of the season.
"I had a tough time in pre-season, and I kind of got the monkey off my back with that one," said Chisholm post-game. "I hope that I can be a consistent scorer for the team and add value every time I'm on the ice."
It's Chisholm's first home game donning the captain's patch, and she doesn't take the responsibility lightly.
"It's a great family to be a part of, and being picked to lead the team is an honour," she continued. "We knew that the priority was going to be our culture, and getting it to the point it was at the year before. That's honestly what it comes down to. When you're tired, you want to play for each other."
Chisholm picked up an assist on the next goal of the game, as she centred the puck for
Sydnie Miller during 4-on-4 play, who put Laurier up 2-0.
In the second period, Miller took a high shot from the point that Ava Assinewai tried to glove down. Her glove redirected the puck right to
Lily Spencer, who batted the puck in on one knee to score her first career OUA goal.
"It was honestly really special. It's my first one, so it's a big one," beamed Spencer. "My family was there, and I had a few opportunities in this game to score. I didn't on the first ones, and then this one popped out to me right in the slot, and I just hammered it home."
Lily is now the lone Spencer on the Golden Hawks after playing alongside her sister Elle last season, who has since graduated.
"She was a big goal scorer last year," remarked Spencer. "I'm glad I'm starting this season off right, scoring my big first goal, and I'm hoping to follow it up with a bunch more just like her."
The Bold responded with a goal of their own, as Maddy Collins beat
Sarah Howell with a snapshot off one knee after having her initial shot blocked.
The momentum would not carry, however, as a seemingly harmless point shot from
Jasper Petro found its way into the back of the net for a shorthanded Laurier goal.
Petro and
Sydnie Miller, both defenders who joined the Golden Hawks as transfers, each recorded their first goals in the purple and gold.
"Experience helps. We're fortunate that, through our recruitment opportunities, we're able to bring in players that have had university experience," explained Laurier's manager of women's hockey operations and head coach
Kelly Paton. "In the way they play the game, they have a little bit more confidence and poise when they have the puck, and that's obviously adding value to our team as well."
Kylie Laliberte capped off the scoring in the final minute-and-a-half with a deflected looping shot that eluded Katie Frost's glove. Laurier finished with 44 shots to TMU's 16.
The Golden Hawks return to home ice on Friday, October 23, taking on the visiting Ontario Tech Ridgebacks.
Puck drop is at 7:00 pm, with tickets available at tickets.laurierathletics.com. Stream the game live on OUA.tv.
