Box Score LONDON, Ont. – Following their 3-1 victory over the Ryerson Rams in Toronto on Saturday afternoon the Western Mustangs returned home to host the rival Laurier Golden Hawks on Sunday at Thompson Arena. Although Western came out on top in their first two regular season meetings this season the Golden Hawks were able to gain the upper hand Sunday, defeating the Mustangs 3-2.
 
With the loss the Mustangs move to 14-5-1 on the season and hold down fourth place in the OUA. Laurier now takes sole possession of first place with an 18-1-2 record.
 
The Golden Hawks outshot the Mustangs twelve to six in the first; however, Western goaltender Kelly Campbell would not allow any of the Laurier chances, turning away each of the Laurier shots in the opening 20 minutes. With a lot of pressure in the Mustang end, there were not a lot of opportunities for the Mustang shooters. The Golden Hawks offensive pressure in the first would set the standard for the rest of the game, as both teams knew it would be a close scoring contest.
 
The second period saw the game’s first goal with Western’s Kendra Deller flying in from the point cleaning up the puck in front of Laurier goaltender Kayla Brown. Stacey Scott would assist Deller’s goal with a tremendous wrap around effort after a pass from Katelyn Gosling, who would also pick up an assist.
 
Laurier wouldn’t let Western keep the lead, as they would answer two minutes later with a shot from Golden Hawk Robyn Degagne. The Mustangs would take a penalty late in the second and Laurier would take this power play opportunity and score their second goal of the game, this one coming off the stick of Fiona Lester. At the end of the second frame the Golden Hawks would take a 2-1 lead into intermission.
 
Laurier brought the pressure out fast once play resumed, scoring on Western only a minute into the third. Laurier shooter Devon Skeats put one past lengthening Laurier’s lead to two, but Western would answer quickly as Laurier took a penalty for interference. Assistant captain Tara Cation, would score single handedly with a wrist shot on the power play, giving Western a chance to tie things up and putting the score at 3-2.
 
Unfortunately for the Mustangs, Laurier would be able to contain Western for the remainder of the game and come away with the 3-2 win.
 
Campbell had another strong outing in the Western net, stopping 35 of 38 shots in the loss. At the other end of the rink Brown kept 22 of 24 pucks out of the Laurier goal to earn her eighth win of the season.
 
Next up for the Mustangs are a pair of home games at Thompson Arena next weekend. The Ryerson Rams come to town on Saturday while the Toronto Varsity Blues make the trek to London for a Sunday afternoon matchup. Puck drop for both games is set for 4:00 p.m.