TORONTO – With the Toronto weather starting to mirror the crisp air inside the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC), it's not a surprise that some of the magic responsible for pushing the city's sports fans into a frenzy was on the side of the home team on Halloween. 

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team secured their first win of the season after defeating the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks 2-1 on Friday. 

For the fourth consecutive time, the Bold have defeated the Ridgebacks on home ice, turning the MAC into a house of horrors for their Oshawa-based opponents. 

The Bold (1-5) had previously lost three one-goal games, while conceding just two goals or fewer in four of the last five contests. TMU again relied on its swarming defence for an edge on the ice. 

"In terms of our identity, we want to be a stifling type of defensive team," said Bold Head Coach Lisa Haley. "We obviously want to generate and score more goals but what matters more is what we're giving up and taking away." 

The night's opening period produced neither trick nor treat for either side. For the second game in a row, TMU outshot Ontario Tech (12-10) after twenty minutes. While the difference wasn't as dramatic as the 12-4 onslaught in the opening period of their game on Oct. 25, the Bold produced more close-call type of opportunities in their rematch against the Ridgebacks.

Near the midway point of the period, Maddy Collins ripped one off the crossbar during a two-on-one break. After TMU was whistled for tripping at the 9:24 mark, captain Cailey Davis was the recipient of a leak-out pass off the boards that sprung her free behind the Ontario Tech defence. On the breakaway, Davis tried to drag the goalie to her right before attempting to tuck the puck in on the opposite side with her backhand. Ontario Tech goalie Zoe McGee flashed her glove at the last second to keep the score even. 

Late in the period, Bold forward Gaby Gareau nearly sliced home a loose puck rebound before McGee covered up possession. 

As they have all season, each Bold player continued to fight on defence, knowing that if they hung on for long enough, they would eventually exorcise the demons haunting them on the offensive end. 

Whether it was skating back to stop a potential breakaway or materializing out of nowhere for timely pinches at the half-wall, Jayden Fox embodied the Bold's defensive identity early in the game. Collins also showcased her speed while chasing down another breakout before crashing into the boards and drawing a penalty for her efforts. When Bold defender Abby Fletcher put her body on the line to block a slapshot just three feet away, it was only a matter of time before the team's efforts translated to the other side of the ice. 

In a spectacular showcase of agility and stick skill, Bold forward Alizee LeBlanc moved past three Ridgebacks like a ghost before sniping a shot just over McGee's shoulder. While some of the players looked perplexed, questioning whether or not it was a goal, LeBlanc immediately knew she had put TMU up 1-0. It was LeBlanc's first goal of the season after being recruited by TMU this past summer. 

"It's been really tough because we're putting in the work but it hasn't been reflected in the score," said LeBlanc. "But…I think we're showing we're on the come up and that it's only the start for us."

In the final frame, Ontario Tech turned up its intensity and appeared to be the more aggressive team. The Ridgebacks ultimately outshot the Bold 8-6 in the third. It was the only period they produced more shots in the contest. 

As she has done since making her debut against the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks on Oct. 18, Bold goalie Sydney Pyburn was an absolute force between the pipes. Pyburn turned away 24 shots, including a series of dangerous chances during the final 10 minutes of the game. 

"We've been working on keeping our game strong and focusing on our intentions and game plan," said Pyburn. "Tonight we really executed that well and it paid off." 

Their attention to detail and execution on the ice seemingly inspired confidence throughout the roster. 

"Something about tonight just felt really good," said LeBlanc. "I knew the first one wouldn't be our only goal." 

The Bold found an insurance goal when Kayla Kondo deflected a shot from Collins at the 8:59 mark. Despite a two-goal advantage, the Bold weren't out of the woods yet. TMU had previously established two-goal leads against the Queen's Gaels and York University Lions earlier in the season. The Bold ended up losing both contests. 

On this night, TMU finally avoided a nightmare finish and dispatched of the looming threat. It was the exact type of ending this team needed, especially after the hard work and progress the group has shown over the past few weeks. 

TMU takes the ice next for a road game against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Nov. 1. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on OUA.tv.