Western shuts out Waterloo in home opener
LONDON, Ont. – On the day that saw the Western Women's hockey team unveil their 2015 CIS and OUA championships banners, Brianna Iazzolino scored the lone goal for the Mustangs as they skated to a 1-0 win over the Waterloo Warriors in their home opener.
LONDON, Ont. – On the day that saw the Western Women's hockey team unveil their 2015 CIS and OUA championships banners, Brianna Iazzolino scored the lone goal for the Mustangs as they skated to a 1-0 win over the Waterloo Warriors in their home opener.
Prior to the game Janice Deakin, Vice-Provost of Western University, was on hand to present the 2015 OUA and CIS championship team with their rings and unveil the banners that will fly above Thompson Arena for years to come.
The game had a quick pace right from puck drop with end-to-end action that featured only one whistle in the first 10 minutes of play. The Mustangs looked to capitalize on several odd man rushes but couldn't connect thanks to active sticks from the Waterloo defence.
"I think we skated well" said head coach David Barrett talking about the speed of the game early on, "We had a few players that really had their legs."
The Mustangs killed off a lone goalie interference penalty midway through the period, and the game was tied at 0-0 after one.
In the second period the Mustangs started to carry the play, but got caught out of position up the ice as Waterloo forward Rebecca Rutherford found herself on a breakaway with a step on Mustang defenceman Dana Bryce. Bryce gave chase and ended up hauling her down, but Rutherford was unable to find the handle on the ensuing penalty shot.
The Mustangs would make the Warriors pay for that mistake, as they capitalized ten minutes later on their first power play of the game. Western worked it to the point where Iazzolino fired a shot through traffic that found its way past the traffic in front and Warrior goalie Rebecca Bouwhuis to find the twine.
"That goal had eyes," remarked goalie Kelly Campbell after the victory.
Waterloo picked up the pressure in the third period, but Campbell stood tall. She stopped all 21 shots she faced in the game including two stops in a row in tight in the final five minutes to keep the Warriors off the board and preserve the victory for the Mustangs.
It was a good bounce back performance for the Mustangs after their loss against Guelph on Saturday in which they surrounded three goals, something that happened only twice last season.
"Sometimes pucks are going to go in the net and you can't control it," said Campbell, "Tonight it didn't happen so it was a good night."
Not only did Campbell rebound, it seemed like the whole team a little jump in their step throughout the game as the Mustangs outshot the Warriors 39-21.
"It's always nice to see your team respond after a loss," said Barrett, "It's a nice test."
The Mustangs return to action on Thursday night when they host the Windsor Lancers at Thompson Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
NOTES: For the second straight season, the Mustangs played their home opener against the Warriors; the Mustangs won 4-3 in last year's contest…Today's game marked the CIS debut of Dana Bryce, making for six Mustangs to skate in their first CIS contests this weekend after five players suited up for the purple and white for the first time on Saturday…
Source: Western Mustangs
