On Friday, Oct. 27, the Brock women’s hockey team lost their second consecutive game on home ice as they faced off against the Windsor Lancers at Canada Games Park.
The Badgers, who are known for their resilience and determination, gave it their all. In the end it was the Lancers who emerged victorious with a final score of 5-1.
Second-year forward Jenna Duarte was a shining star for the Badgers during this game, as she managed to score her first Ontario University Athletics (OUA) career goal while wearing a Brock uniform. This is a significant achievement for Duarte and an exciting moment for the team. Senior defenseman Madelyn Walsh also had a noteworthy performance, registering an assist and currently leading the Badgers in scoring with four points in three games.
The game got underway with a penalty in the first period, as Kaedyn Gomes of Brock was penalized. However, the Lancers couldn’t capitalize on the power play opportunity. Shortly after the penalty expired, Elissa Benjamin of the Windsor Lancers managed to break the ice with a goal, putting Windsor in the lead.
As the game moved into the second period, Windsor’s Olivia Knuff extended the lead with another goal, making it 2-0. Despite their best efforts, the Badgers found it challenging to catch up to the Lancers.
In the final frame, Jessica Gribbon, Emily Eikelboom and Maggi DeWolf-Russ each contributed to Windsor’s lead, further solidifying their grip on the game. However, it was Jenna Duarte who managed to provide a glimmer of hope for Brock, scoring at the 15:06 mark of the final period.
Both teams had stellar goaltenders guarding their nets. Brock’s netminder, Kenzie Harmison, made 22 saves, while Windsor’s goaltender, Kristen Swiatoschik, was equally impressive, making 23 saves throughout the game.
While the final score didn’t go in Brock’s favour, it’s essential to remember that every game is a learning opportunity. The Badgers will undoubtedly take valuable lessons from this game and work on strengthening their strategies and teamwork for upcoming matches.
On Saturday, Oct. 28 the Badgers bounced back beating the York University Lions 2-0, ending the weekend 1-1 and advancing to 3-2 on the season.
Looking ahead, the Brock women’s hockey team will face off against the University of Guelph on Nov. 2 followed by the University of Waterloo on Nov. 4. Both games will be on the road.
For more information on the Brock women’s hockey team visit gobadgers.ca.
