WATERLOO, Ont. - The Ryerson Rams women's hockey team will head into the holiday break on a winning note after defeating the Laurier Golden Hawks 4-1 on Saturday afternoon in the team's final game of 2019.

After having their six-game win streak snapped on Thursday night, the Rams were eager to get back in the win column and finish 2019 strong. Right from puck drop on Saturday the Rams looked the stronger, faster team and their hard work paid off.

Emily Baxter (Oakville, Ont.) opened the scoring when she tipped an Olivia Giardetti (Whitby, Ont.) shot up over the shoulder of the Laurier goalie, Nicole Yanchis. Before the first period buzzer sounded, Lauren Nicholson (Dresden, Ont.) netted her fifth of the season after banging home a rebound to give the Rams a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.

The Golden Hawks cut into the lead midway through the second after executing a 2-on-1 opportunity into a goal for Aynsley Harrison.

Later in the middle stanza, the Rams found themselves on a four-minute power play and Erika Crouse (Kirkland Lake, Ont.) capitalized, scoring her ninth of the season to restore Ryerson's two-goal lead. The 3-1 scoreline held after 40 minutes.

Looking in full control already, Ryerson earned some more insurance in the third when Keelin Farren (Toronto) made a great individual effort to get through the neutral zone and over the blue line before wristing a perfect shot past the shoulder of Yanchis. 

Ryerson enters the holiday break having won seven of their last eight games and amongst the top teams in the OUA standings. The Rams return to league play on January 12 when they host the Waterloo Warriors.