LONDON, ON – The Western Mustangs began a 2 game series against the Brock Badgers at home. The Mustangs fell 2-1 after trailing 1-0 until the final 3 minutes. Brock played fast and physical and Western matched their pace.
 
Western began the game on the back foot, playing the majority of the first period in their own end, 6 minutes were on the PK. The Mustangs only recorded 1 shot in the frame.
 
"We had a bit of a slower start for our group, something we tried to buckle down on early in the week, but in the second and third I thought we brought a lot of energy and grit and we started winning the battles that were necessary to hang in this game" said Head Coach Candice Moxley post game.
 
Western was able to bring the energy in the second period in large part due to the ability of goaltender Kaitlyn Booth.
 

W??: END OF 2ND PERIOD

A nice save from Kaitlyn Booth on the penalty kill keeps the score the same through two periods.

WES l 0
BRO l 1#RunWithUs #WesternMustangs #WESvsBRO pic.twitter.com/YkWmrCiw1Q

— Western Mustangs (@WesternMustangs) November 20, 2021

 
Her ability to make saves was key in keeping the game close for the Mustangs as it provided a trust to keep the Badgers on the outside.
 
"She's been amazing all year, she's really stepped up into her spot on the team and we are really
counting on her back there" Said Sarah Irwin on Booth's performance.
 
Defenseman Irwin, a 4^th year veteran on the team was a vocal leader on the ice and provided motivation for the Mustangs in a nail-biter win. She managed to stop a 2-on-1 cleanly late in the third that would have given momentum back to the Badgers.
 
A struggle for the Mustangs so far this season has been scoring goals, only recording 3 in as many games played. The team is confident the goal scoring will come, but is certainly cementing themselves as a defense first team.
 
"Defense first, I mean that's a big focus of ours, we have to take care of pucks in our own end to get pucks north and get to play in the offensive zone. Its always been a focus of ours and it's a point of pride with this group" Said Coach Moxley.
 
The lone goal scorer for the Mustangs was rookie Madelaine Desrosier's first in the OUA, which unfortunately came after the Bader empty net goal with 2.4 seconds left in regulation.
 

W??: FINAL SCORE

Madelaine Desrosier snipes one late but Brock hangs on to secure the victory.

Western travels to St. Catherines for a rematch this Sunday at 5:15pm!

WES l 1
BRO l 2#RunWithUs #WesternMustangs #WESvsBRO pic.twitter.com/I96I0FpgvV

— Western Mustangs (@WesternMustangs) November 20, 2021

 
"Felt great, wish we could have executed a little earlier so we had time to tie it up but it was a good momentum switch for us" Said Desrosier on how it felt scoring her first Mustang goal.
 
The Mustangs are a young group and are committed to improvement. "Our group communicates really well together off the ice, its just a matter of putting the pieces together on the ice." Said Coach Moxley.
 
The season is young and there are plenty of games left, maintaining good defensive pressure is a sign of good things to come for this iteration of the Mustangs.
 
Mustangs play Brock next and will try and even up the season series at 5:15 on Sunday November 21.