TORONTO — The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team got off to a blistering start but ultimately lost 4-2 to the York University Lions on Sunday. 

The cross-city rivals previously played in a home-and-home series during pre-season on Sept. 14 and 19. The familiarity between the two teams ultimately foreshadowed how tightly contested the game would be. 

While the Bold began the day as a top-five defence, they have recently struggled to create and produce goals. Entering the contest, there was a concentrated effort by the Bold to put the narrative surrounding their goal support concern to rest. 

The Bold generated multiple scoring chances within the opening two minutes, applying constant pressure in the Lions' zone. 

TMU's early momentum was temporarily halted when forward/defender Ahalya Julien-Medeiros was called for tripping at the 4:18 mark. But just like how the Bold have been doing throughout the young season, they killed the power play and went right back to work on the offensive end.

Bold rookie forward Riley Del Monte, who last scored in the season opener against the Queen's Gaels, nearly recorded her second goal of the year on multiple opportunities. Del Monte's best chance came when she snuck past the defenders and almost tucked a backhand in past York goaltender Emma Wedgewood. 

Del Monte was the recipient of another timely feed when fellow first-year Abby Fletcher dropped the puck off to her as she crossed the blue line, but that shot attempt was also steered clear. 

After a flurry of shot attempts, the Bold were finally rewarded for their tenacity. It began with Ava Caputo turning the Lions over in their own end with a timely poke check, producing an impromptu two-on-one. TMU fourth-year Gaby Gareau slid a pass to Katie Leroux at the point, with the latter putting one through the goaltender's five-hole for the opening goal. 

Less than thirty seconds later, defender Dayle Chinnick fired one on net at an awkward angle from the left corner to score her first goal of the season, extending TMU's lead to 2-0. 

York would get one of the goals back before the end of the period on an odd-man rush, with Alexa Giantsopoulos firing one past TMU Bold goalie Sydney Pyburn's glove hand.

The Lions flipped the script in the second frame with a quick start of their own. When the Bold turned the puck over after a waived icing call, Kaitlin Teixeira wrapped around the net to roof one over a sprawling Pyburn. 

With the tide seemingly turning, Julien-Medeiros was called for her second penalty of the game, putting the Bold on their heels. But again, TMU would shut the door. The Bold's penalty-killing units lead the OUA, having stopped all eight power plays they've faced this season.

The Bold would finally get a chance with the player advantage when the Lions were called for a boarding penalty just under the eight-minute mark. After an additional penalty for cross-checking, the Bold were awarded a five-on-three for 43 seconds. Unfortunately, TMU couldn't capitalize and the score remained tied after two periods. 

TMU continued to manufacture a dizzying amount of scoring chances to begin the third period, but couldn't find a way to finish them. The Bold ended with 30 shots on net after only recording 15 in their last game. Kayla Kondo, who had numerous moments in the second period, was unable to corral a pass on a two-on-one scenario that could have potentially resulted in the go-ahead goal. 

Minutes later, forward Megan Bergmanis was denied after a turnover in the Lions' zone presented her with a point-blank opportunity. 

York eventually took the lead on a patient goal from Makenzi Jones, who kept the puck on the ice to get it past Pyburn. Five minutes later, the Lions scored again with some puck luck after they tapped in a bad bounce rebound. 

The Bold will next prepare for their home opener when they take the ice against the Lions for the fourth time in 40 days on Oct. 24. Puck drop is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.