LONDON, Ont. - The Western Mustangs will look to defend their OUA title when they play host to the 2010 OUA Women's Field Lacrosse championship tournament Oct. 29-30 at City Wide Fields in London, Ont.

Two teams enter the OUA tournament with targets on their back including the Mustangs and Laurier Golden Hawks, which had their five-year championship streak ended by Western last year.

While Western and Laurier lead the race for the Patterson Cup title, there are three other teams expected to make things difficult for the Mustangs and Golden Hawks.

The Queen's Gaels and Toronto Varsity Blues are both strong teams capable of winning against any team in the league, while darkhorse Guelph has the only win over the Laurier team in games leading up to the OUA tournament.

In fact, Laurier and Toronto have both lost to the Gryphons this year.

On paper, the Golden Hawks are the favourite to win.

Led by star goalkeeper Hanna Burnett, the Lynn Orth coached Laurier squad is a perennial challenger. On offence, Ashley Rutz is a physical forward who provides an offensive punch, while midfielder Jory Garibaldi leads a strong transition game.

The Golden Hawks defeated Western twice in one-goal victories leading up to the championships in 2010. They get a bye through to Friday afternoon's semifinal at 4 p.m.

Western is led by freshman goaltending sensation Caitlin Mancuso of Pelham, Ont., and will rely on a strong transition game and fast-breaks to carry them to a repeat of the OUA banner.

Mancuso is protected by the strong defensive trio of Christina Burns, Cara Colavecchia and Laura Robinson, while Nicole Pullen, Lauren Crape and Emmi Morris will do damage on offence.

Freshman Kristen Stafford is an X Factor, and has done well to fill the void of 2009 captain Lindsay Doxtator, and will add depth to Western's high-octane scoring machine.

"We have good balance," said Western Mustangs head coach David Hastings in his third season at the helm. "We also have strong defence, an explosive offence and great goaltending."

The Mustangs will face UOIT in the quarter-final on Friday morning at 10 a.m. This is the Ridgebacks first appearance at the OUA Championships. They have strong goaltender with Ashley LeLievre in the cage, while midfielder Emily Uza is a two-way threat. The Ridgebacks are coached by former Golden Hawk Amy Fincham.

Toronto, led by Peterborough, Ont., native Tori Wasson and midfielder Breanne Gillie, will face Guelph in the quarter-final round at noon on Friday. Guelph is led by rookie midfielder Jade Sullivan and goaltender Hannah Smith.

The other quarter-final features Queen's and the McMaster Marauders, also at noon on Friday.

The Gaels are disciplined team with good ball movement and great balance through the lineup. Top Queen's players are attackers Jackie Byers and Marsha Cryderman and midfielder Lisa McLaughlin.

McMaster has a strong goalie in Anna Goulding along with midfielder Jackie Heaton and former Mustang Julia Dawkins up on attack and hopes to play spoiler in their quarter-final match.

Semifinals get underway at 4 p.m. Friday with medal games going on Saturday afternoon. All tournament games are at City Wide Fields on Commissioners Road in London, just east of Highbury Avenue.

2010 OUA WOMEN'S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday Oct. 29
Game 1 Western vs. UOIT, 10 a.m. (Field 1)
Game 2 Queen's vs. McMaster, 12 p.m. (Field 1)
Game 3 Toronto vs. Guelph, 12 p.m. (Field 2)
Game 4  Laurier vs. Winner Game 3, 4 p.m. (Field 1)
Game 5 Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m. (Field 2)
(NOTE: Two lowest ranked losing teams of Games 1, 2 and 3 play in Saturday's consolation semifinal, with highest ranked losing team of Games 1, 2 and 3 advances to play winner of Consolation Semifinal in the Consolation Final on Saturday evening at 6 p.m.)

Saturday Oct. 30
(all games on Field 1)
Consolation Semifinal, 2 p.m.
Bronze Medal Game, 4 p.m.
Consolation Final, 6 p.m.
Championship, 8 p.m.