LONDON, Ont. - Despite 41 saves by Western Mustangs goalie Jessica Ulrich (Keswick, Ont.), the Mustangs fell 5-1 to the Windsor Lancers in their home opener Oct. 8 at Thompson Arena.
Within the first half of the game, Windsor Lancer Courtney Spoors netted a short-handed goal in front of the net.
Minutes later, Candace Rapchak of the Lancers got past Ulrich to extend the early lead to 2-0 and then Candace Kourounis capitalized on the Lancers powerplay to make it a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period.
"At the end of the first, I told them they weren't playing with emotion," says Chris Higgins, Mustangs rookie head coach. "I told them they needed to show emotion and they did."
The Mustangs came out faster and stronger in the second period, but were unable create any scoring opportunities. A series of penalties saw both teams spend time in the box for roughing - both before and after the whistle.
Ulrich made a key save early in the period to keep the Lancers at three goals.
With just less than half the period left, Western's Carly Rolph (Guelph, Ont.) stole the puck for a breakaway, but was stopped by Lancers goalie Jamie Tessier.
Windsor created a fourth goal while on the powerplay at 4:06. With less than a minute left on the clock, Sydney Kidd (Sundridge, Ont.) ripped a shot from the red line, but failed to score and Western was left scoreless in the second.
Windsor came out dominating in the third period, but Western still held their own allowing only one goal. At 15:54, Lancer Manon Davis got her third point of the night notching a goal past Ulrich to give Windsor a 5-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Mustangs defender Meghan Hewins (Burlington, Ont.) got Western's only goal of the night from just inside the blue line to spoil the Windsor shutout bid.
Three late-game penalties gave Western a two-man advantage for the last minute of the game, but they failed to score.
Although the Mustangs lost their first regular season game, Higgins says he is confident in their ability to succeed.
"I'm confident the girls are going to figure it out. I see them practice, they are a very talented team," he says.
The Western Mustangs women's hockey team next game will be played against the Queen's Gaels on Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. at Thompson Arena.
