TORONTO - Alexia Stratos made 25 saves as the Toronto Metropolitan University women's hockey team defeated the No. 7 Guelph Gryphons 1-0 on Thursday evening at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

Head Coach Lisa Haley had her team focusing on defence in practice this week. 

"In general, in our defensive zone, it's doing a great job trying to clear the front of the net so our goaltender can see that first shot and control that rebound. And that's something that I thought we did very well defensively tonight, is limit them," said Haley. 

Gaby Gareau played aggressively toward the net creating big chances for the Bold and putting on the pressure. Halfway through the first period, Jess Pollard deflected an Ahalya Julien-Medeiros (AJ) point shot her first career OUA goal, giving the Bold a 1-0 lead.

"The team had a really good look today, and as soon as AJ shot that puck, I knew that I was in the right spot. We'd practice it all summer in practice, so as soon as she got that puck, I knew that being in front was the right spot to be," said Pollard.

The Bold stayed tough on defence til the end of the period and carried the 1-0 lead into the first intermission. 

Going into the second period the Bold wanted to extend their lead against the Gryphons. The Bold did a quick job of shutting down the Gryphons' chances and protecting their net. Spending the majority of the second period in the Gryphons zone, the Bold cycled the puck to create more chances.

The teams traded power play chances but neither was successful. 

The second period ended with the Bold holding onto their 1-0 lead. 

With twenty minutes left to go, the Bold had to power through to ensure the Gryphons wouldn't tie up the game. 

"I thought we fought tooth and nail for all three points and got those back, so they will mean a lot in the second half of the season, for sure, because we will be in a tight race," said Haley.

The Bold held off the entire third and closed off the game with a 1-0 win, and first shutout of the season for Alexia Stratos.

"I just had to finish out the game, I knew the girls in front of me were going to do it for me so I had to do it for them as well, and just stay there and be a wall," Stratos said.

The Bold will be back on home ice this Saturday, November 23rd to face the Western Mustangs. Attendance is free to TMU students with their one card and can be watched on OUA.tv.