The Western Mustangs' women's hockey team have concluded their 2019-2020 season.
 
The team held a meaningful pre-game ceremony to start the night off, honouring their two
graduating seniors Tareya Webster and April Clark.
 
Webster, a Montreal native, joined the Mustangs in 2016 from the Dawson Blues CEGEP. She was a part of the 2018 OUA championship team, and this season started in ten games for the Mustangs, logging an impressive 1.23 goals against and a .955 save percentage. Webster is graduating from Western with a BMOS degree.
 
Clark, a St. Marys native, joined the Mustangs in 2015 from the London Devilettes. She was also a member of the 2018 OUA championship team. During her time at Western, Clark has left her mark by being recognized as the 2019 Western Female Athlete of the Year and USport All-Canadian. In addition, Clark has etched her mark in program history as the points (105) and all-time goals (51) leader. She will be continuing her nursing degree here at Western with plans to graduate in 2022 while continuing to be involved in hockey.
 
The pair were honoured at center ice, where they were joined by head coach Candice Moxley, assistant coaches Anna Blando and Blair Webster, and volunteer coach Hokey Langan.
 
Moxley, with emotion, commented after the game, "Tay [Tareya] is one of the most vocal, supportive, and encouraging teammates that we have in the locker room. I know her voice is going to be missed next year – she's rock solid for us, and she's always there to support whomever. [For] Clarky, our assistant coach Hokey [Langan] said it perfectly when we were in the room just now that I'd be surprised if there's another player that comes along and does what she has done in her five years here - she's just outstanding. So that one is going to be a loss for us in terms of her leadership, but also in what she can do on the ice."
 
When asked about how Clark may be involved with hockey, and possibly the Mustangs in the future, Moxley quipped with a laugh, "I'm trying to convince her to coach with me. I know she still wants to keep playing, so I'm trying to figure out what we can make work with some opportunities that are local in the area to keep her in shape and ready to go. Not sure what's happening with our women's professional leagues next year, but she's one that I'll go to bat for any day."
 
Following the ceremony, the 'Stangs set off for what would be their last tilt of the season.
 
In the first, the Mustangs came out firing. It was a different approach to their start from the previous night, as passes were successfully connecting, and the Mustangs were offensively pressuring the Rams in all areas on the ice. Their efforts were rewarded at the four-and-a-half-minute mark as Sam Wood notched the first goal of her OUA career in tight against the Rams netminder off of a cross-crease pass from Sydnee Baker. The Mustangs pushed off of that goal with momentum, and were noticeably quick on their transitions for the rest of the period. However, Clark would eventually go off for a four-minute head contact minor that Ryerson would use to even up the score.
 
In the second and third periods of the game, the Rams mostly took control, as they went on the score two more to seal the deal at 3 - 1. Though Western had several opportunities on the player advantage to fight back, they were unable to convert. However, the penalty kill was fantastic yet again, letting in only one goal in 10:47 of shorthanded play.
 
"I thought the momentum was shifting all game, in terms of us having possession and generating opportunities," said Moxley. "There was a time there where it flipped on us, and Ryerson was able to capitalize. We battled, we left it all out there tonight, and I hope the girls are proud with the effort they put out."
 

W??: FINAL @ryersonrams 3 - 1 @WesternWHKY

As the Mustangs salute the crowd for the final time, we're sending the love right back to thank them for their work this season. We look forward to seeing them back at Thompson Arena this fall!#WesternMustangs #RunWithUs #WesternU pic.twitter.com/IJDQRFY1St

— Western Mustangs (@WesternMustangs) February 16, 2020

The Mustangs finish their 2019-2020 campaign with a 12 – 12 record. They had a league-ranked 2^nd place power-play percentage and were 9^th on the penalty kill. They lead the league in shots overall with 732, and sit in a three-way tie for first in power-play goals overall. Clark finished 4^th and 5^th in assists and points, respectively, while Webster was second in the league with a .949 save percentage.
 
The Mustangs will return to action at Thompson Arena in the fall. In the meantime, it'll be tackling final exams first for the student athletes before a summer of training and preparation for the season ahead.