TORONTO (CIS) – The three-time defending champion UBC Thunderbirds lost 3-0 to the host University of Toronto Varsity Blues in the first round-robin game for both teams at the CIS-FHC field hockey championship at Back Campus Fields.
 
It marked Toronto's ninth win over the powerhouse Thunderbirds in 37 meetings at the national tournament. U of T's last win over UBC at the CIS championship was a 2-1 victory in the 2010 gold-medal game.

 

Coming into the match with a perfect 14-0-0 record this season, the Blues were ready to go from the opening whistle as 2014 CIS player of the year Amanada Woodcroft of Waterloo, Ont., rang a shot off the UBC post in the first 30 seconds of the match.
 
Second-year U of T forward Lauren Sudac kept the momentum going as she opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute. The Burlington, Ont., native deked around CIS rookie of the year and UBC goalkeeper Lauren Logush (Richmond Hill, Ont.) for a clear shot on net.
 
Woodcroft added to Toronto's lead in the 25th minute off a penalty corner. The four-time CIS all-Canadian pulled a nifty move around a UBC player off a penalty corner set play and sent the ball into the bottom right corner.
 
The Blues were up 2-0 at the half.
 
Toronto co-captain Alex Thicke of North Vancouver added an insurance marker in the 56^th minute to round out the scoring.
 
UBC pressured late and had a few penalty corners to score, but were unable to beat Blues netminder Madeleine Cho (Vancouver).
 
"I think we have a lot to learn from a game like that," said first-year UBC head coach Robin D'Abreo. "I think we are getting used to the new environment and our team is a young and relatively inexperienced. I think it was a bit of a learning experience for them in terms of performing at this level and under pressure. We'll look to learn from it and regroup for tomorrow."
 
Toronto (1-0) will turn around to face the fourth-seeded Guelph Gryphons (0-1) in a rematch of the OUA final tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. UBC (0-1) will then battle the Victoria Vikes (1-0) in an all-Canada West clash at 6:30 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on CIS-SIC.tv.

SCORING SUMMARY
TOR: 2-1: 3
UBC: 0-0: 0
 
First half
TOR Lauren Sudac (1), 2nd minute
TOR Amanda Woodcroft (1), 25th minute
 
Second half
TOR Alex Thicke (1), 56th minute
 
Goaltenders
TOR: Madeleine Cho (W, 70:00, 0 GA, 1-0)
UBC: Lauren Logush (L, 70:00, 3 GA, 0-1)
 
Players of the game
TOR: Lauren Sudac (Burlington, Ont.)
UBC: Poonam Sandhu (Vancouver, B.C.)
 
STANDINGS, SCHEDULE & RESULTS
 
Round-robin standings
 
                        GP       W        L          T          GF       GA      PTS
1. Toronto       1          1          0          0          3          0          3
2. Victoria        1          1          0          0          3          2          3
3. Guelph         1          0          1          0          2          3          0
4. UBC             1          0          1          0          0          3          0
 
NOTE: 3 points for a win and 1 point for a tie.
 

Thursday, Oct. 30

16:30 Game 1: Victoria 3, Guelph 2
18:30 Game 2: Toronto 3, UBC 0
 

Friday, Oct. 31

16:30 Game 3: Toronto vs. Guelph (CIS-SIC.tv)
18:30 Game 4: UBC vs. Victoria (CIS-SIC.tv)
 

Saturday, Nov. 1

13:00 Game 5: Toronto vs Victoria (CIS-SIC.tv)
15:00 Game 6: UBC vs. Guelph (CIS-SIC.tv)
 

Sunday, Nov. 2

13:00 Bronze medal (CIS-SIC.tv)
15:00 Championship final (CIS-SIC.tv)