TORONTO, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team has earned the title of OUA champions each of the past two seasons, thanks in large part to some outstanding play from their team defence and star goalie. Those elements were on full display once again on Saturday night in Toronto as the No. 7-ranked Gryphons picked up a 3-0 road win over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. All-Canadian goalie Valerie Lamenta made 27 saves for her third shutout of the season with Sydney Davison and Claire Merrick both scoring off tip-ins, followed by a Kaitlin Lowy empty-netter. With the win, the Gryphons push their win streak to six and improve to 12-4-0 on the season while the Varsity Blues fall to 8-7-1.

"That was one of the most complete games we've played in a while," said Gryphons head coach Rachel Flanagan. "We had lots of time in the offensive zone and Val was really good tonight. It was a well-deserved three points tonight."

The Gryphons opened the scoring 14:38 into the 1st period on a nice re-direct from sophomore forward Sydney Davison. For Davison, it marked her second goal in her last three games. The Varsity Blues would have a great chance to tie the game up in the 2nd period with a pair of Gryphons in the penalty box. The Gryphons' penalty kill unit would step up by killing off the U of T two-man advantage, with the Varsity Blues failing to register a shot on net despite having a 5-on-3 advantage for 90 seconds.
 
The Gryphons would push the lead to 2-0 in the dying stages of the 2nd period with third year forward Claire Merrick (Oakville, ON) tipping home her goal of the season. That would prove to be more than enough for Lamenta, who turned away all 27 shots sent her way, with Guelph limiting U of T to just seven shots on net in the final period.
 
Team Captain Kaitlin Lowy would add an empty netter with just :35 seconds remaining in regulation for her 12th goal of the season, making her the leading goal scorer in the country.
 
Saturday night's game also marked the first of a home-and-home matchup between the Gryphons and Varsity Blues, with the two teams set to square off once again on Wednesday (Jan. 17) in Guelph. That game will mark the first of a four-game homestand for the Gryphs, who will also host Queen's, UOIT and Brock before wrapping up their regular season schedule with a four-game road trip.