The Warriors field hockey team went to Ottawa this past weekend for another three games of OUA Conference play and are beginning to play to their full potential.

The Warriors took on the Toronto Varsity Blues in the first match.  With a change of venue from Carleton University to Minto Field at the Nepean Sports Complex, the players were ready for a face paced game on a smoother surface. As expected, the play was back and forth and fairly even when the Blues took the lead in the 15^th minutes on a penalty corner. However, the Warriors responded immediately and tied the game up only two minutes later after a mad scramble in front of the net led to a goal by Jaimie Wey (Kitchener, Ont.) and a half-time score of 1-1 (also due to some spectacular goaltending by Angela Blonk).

The second half was no different with regards to intensity and action, and despite the fact the Varsity Blues were putting more pressure on the Warriors with lots of hitting and running it was Courtney Bisch (Wellesley) who scored first, with a drag flick from a penalty corner in the 43^rd minute. The Warriors continued to weather the storm but eventually allowed a tying goal in the 55^th minute. Determined to get the full three points, both teams increased the tempo of the match and play was end to end. With less than five minutes left in the game, the Warriors were caught out on a counter-attack and were down 3-2. Things intensified with Waterloo putting on two extra attackers  but the best opportunity resulted in the ball rolling inches past the wrong side of the post and a tough 3-2 loss.

Following the close loss, the players were back out to Nepean for a 6:45 pm game against the Queen's  Gaels. They started the game the way they had left off the previous match and with a flurry of action which resulted in goals at the third, eight and 15^th minute marks by Alexandra Kocukov (Mississauga, Ont.), Courtney Bisch (Wellesley) and Emily Thomson. Before the Golden Gaels knew what had hit them, they were down by a further two goals with Kara Moro (Port Moody, BC) getting a brace before the half-time whistle. Up 5-0, the focus shifted from getting goals to making passes and nice plays and if not for some slips while shooting, the Warriors might have probably put in four more goals in the secondv half. As it was, a Meghan Bester (Waterloo, Ont.) goal two minutes after half-time did result in a final score of 6-0. Despite not scoring themselves, both Jaimie Wey (Kitchener) and rookie Melissa Lewis (Waterloo, Ont.) had outstanding games and were the creative forces during the match.

Back at the originally planned location of Raven's Field at Carleton University, the players were expecting a bit of a slower match as compared to the day before. However, the McGill team had other plans and took control of the game over a Warriors team that looked like they had perhaps slept in a little too much and had difficulty finding their feet again on the field turf. If not for some last gasp defensive play and aggressive goaltending by Angee Blonk, the score might have been 2-0 for McGill at the half. As it was, the score was 0-0 and McGill were left frustrated while the Warriors were able to breathe a sigh of relief during the break and then slap each other in the face to wake themselves up. A much stronger showing in the second half resulted in a goal within 5 minutes of the restart and Courtney Bisch (Wellesley) taking her season tally to four. Then, 10 minutes later, a perfectly executed counter-attack led to Meghan Bester (Waterloo) flicking in her third of the campaign. McGill tightened their defense which eventually resulted in no further scoring by the Warriors (even though they still created some decent chances) but which also led to very little opportunity for the Martlets to mount any attack of their own. So, a second victory in Ottawa and once again, despite not scoring, Jaimie Wey (Kitchener) played a big part in the game by providing assists for both goals.

The Warriors now look forward to having a short trip to travel to Guelph on Saturday at 4:30pm for only one game as they battle the Queen's Gaels before facing their Alumni on Sunday morning at St. David's in Waterloo at 9:30am.  Come out and support your Warriors.

Weekend Goals: Courtney Bisch (Wellesley) (3), Kara Moro (Port Moody) (2), Meghan Bester (Waterloo) (2), Ally Kocukov (1), Emily Thomson (1), Jaimie Wey (Kitchener) (1)