It was a near perfect start to the new year for women's hockey, as the Warriors collected five of a six possible points in their first weekend back since the holiday break with a pair of home victories, one needing extra time. 

On Saturday afternoon the Warriors took out the Queen's Gaels 3-2 in overtime for their 12th win of the season. Tatum James (Stratford, ON/) and Carly Orth (Caledon, ON/) both scored first period goals while Queen's answer with two of their own in the middle frame. After a scoreless third period, the two teams went back in forth in overtime before Carley Olivier (Sudbury, ON/) called game scoring the overtime winner on a beautiful individual effort. Kara Mark (New Hamburg, ON/) was very solid in net making 35 stops for the win.

On Friday, the Warriors welcome the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks to the CIF and skated away with a 4-1 victory. Olivier continued with the hot stick, scoring two more times while Orth found the net for the second straight game and Brooklyn Cole (Kitchener, ON/) added one as well. Carley Molnar (London), who has joined the Warriors for the second half, was stellar in her Warriors debut with 29 saves.

With the two victories, Waterloo improved to 13-3-0 on the season, good for 35 points and top spot in the OUA west, four points clear of second place Windsor. The black and gold will be back at it next weekend with a road game on Friday in St. Catharines against Brock before another home game on Saturday against the Nipissing Lakers who also have 35 points on the season.