London, ON - The Mustangs come victorious in their home opener, 4-1, against Toronto Metropolitan University.
Tonight marked the Mustangs' home opener for the 2023-2024 season. They faced off against Toronto Metropolitan University at 7:00pm in the Thompson Arena.
After a tough loss to the Toronto Varsity Blues last weekend, the Mustangs were eager to get a win in the books.
The first twenty minutes of the game started with the Mustangs dominating as the majority of the play was in TMU's zone. Many scoring opportunities put TMU on their heels as the home team showed their hunger to win this game. TMU's goalie, Lauren Griffin, was put to the test by many Mustang shots and scrambles at the net, but she remained strong for her team.
Halfway through the first period, two penalties were called on TMU which gave the Mustangs a two man advantage, and a great opportunity to open the scoring in the game. Although, both penalties passed with the Mustangs unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Shortly after, a rush from TMU's Neely Van Volsen, brought the scoreboard to 1-0 for the visiting team.
The second period opened with very high energy from both teams. Two minutes into the period, Mustangs Elizabeth Gauthier, assisted by Adeline Kristoff, put the puck in the back of the TMU net to tie the game up!
The Mustangs kept up with this momentum as they created a lead change with a second goal. Leah Barnard, with no assist, scrambled at the front of TMU's net to get a goal and bring her team up 2-1.
Following this, Mustangs rookie, Arnica Bulmer took a beautiful shot which got her her first OUA goal and also brought her teams lead up to 3-1. Bulmer speaks on the game, "It was great having my teammates cheer me on after my goal and it is really good to have a great win on such a big night, since it is the home opener. Tomorrow we are definitely looking to build off the win that we had tonight." Coach Rich Brown also discusses Bulmer's goal, "I'm happy for her, I am happy for all the players when they get their first goal and she is a very useful player for us, she's a strong defender and competitive."
The Mustangs don't stop there. A short-handed goal by Alyssa Wouda from the Mustangs increased the home teams lead to 4-1, ending the second period there.
The last twenty minutes of the game was very back and forth as both teams fought hard to get their team more points on the board.
The game comes to an end with the score remaining as it was at the end of the second period, 4-1, for the Mustangs.
Coach Brown says a few words on the game, "It is a great start to the season, especially when you win at home, but there is a quick turnaround as we play again tomorrow."
MUSTANGS RECAP:
SECOND PERIOD:
Wouda at 5:34
Bulmer (Tymochko, Martin) at 10:26
Barnard at 14:34
Gauthier (Kristoff) at 18:44
The Mustangs next game will be tomorrow, Saturday, October 21st, against the York Lions at 7:00pm, in London. Be sure to check out the live action of that game at OUA.tv.
