TORONTO — The Mattamy Athletic Centre was filled with happy and eager young fans as the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team celebrated their school day game and regular season home opener on Friday morning. 

"The school day game is a holiday on the calendar for us every year and the fact it was our home opener was pretty cool too," said Bold Head Coach Lisa Haley.

Facing off against the York University Lions, the Bold fell short 2-0. 

Starting in net once again was rookie Sydney Pyburn, who has been putting out some impressive performances at the beginning of her OUA career. 

"She's young, but she's been extremely poised in [the net] and getting better," said Coach Haley, impressed with her play so far this season.

Early in the first, York found themselves with a four-minute power play as Bold's Ava Caputo went into the box. With efforts from the whole bold line, the Bold were successful in their penalty kill. 

Establishing themselves as a defensive force in the OUA, Coach Haley is happy with the team's new reputation. 

"I think it is an identity that we want to be known for, for sure," said Coach Haley. "Especially right now, we know that we've got to be very good defensively because we're struggling to find the back of the net on offence."

Following the penalty kill, the Bold were presented with two power plays, but couldn't capitalize. 

Reflecting on TMU's inability to set up offensively on the power play, Coach Haley said, "York's got a very, very good penalty kill. They're really aggressive. They don't give you a lot of time and space, so for us, we're still trying to find some chemistry within our groups that are on the power play."

Deep into the first, TMU's Maddy Collins shot a dagger, but it just missed the net, sliding past York goaltender Emma Wedgewood. The first period ended tied, 0-0.

The second frame was neck and neck, with both teams trying to secure the first goal of the game. Shots on net were mirrored from each side, but they struggled to get a point on the board. 

In the last 30 seconds of the period, York's Ginger Fast snuck the puck into the net to put the Lions ahead 1-0. 

After York secured their lead, the Bold fought hard for a chance to make it even in the third. TMU found a few opportunities offensively with both Eden Dusome and Cailey Davis making advances, but the puck wouldn't find the back of the net.

York continued to push, hoping to extend their lead while Pyburn held strong in net. 

"[Pyburn] was solid today, did everything that she could to try to keep us in it as long as she could," said Coach Haley. "I'm really happy with where she's at right now."

With 1:30 left in the third period, York's Lola Massey found a late look to solidify the Lions' win, 2-0. 

The Bold will embark on the road once again, making a short trip to Oshawa, Ont., to face the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks Saturday, Oct. 25. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Campus Ice Centre. Catch all the action on OUA.tv.