TORONTO — The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team fell 5-2 against the Waterloo Warriors on Saturday. 

With the loss, the Bold drop to 3-9 but remain within reach of a playoff spot in the OUA East standings. 

Despite conceding the first goal of the game in five of their six contests in November, the Warriors entered the matchup against the Bold on a three-game winning streak. Waterloo's fortune finally turned when a deflected puck bounced its way onto Teagan Gray's stick. The five-foot-nine forward fired a shot past Bold goalie Sydney Pyburn's blocker for the opening goal. 

The Bold responded six minutes later when Alizee LeBlanc raced past numerous Warriors. Waterloo defender Andrea Murray, who was the lone player remaining between LeBlanc and the net, attempted to steer the speedy Bold rookie away. But LeBlanc fought her off and guided the puck into the crease before losing positioning. Waterloo goaltender Lauryn Busseri stopped the initial attempt but Neely Van Volsen capitalized on the rebound to tie the game at 1-1. 

It was Van Volsen's first goal of the season. The third-year forward had missed the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign. For Van Volsen, the goal embodied the hard work she put in to get back to something she loves doing. 

"It's been a slow climb," said Van Volsen. "It's been something I've been working towards, so to finally get it and break through…"  

Earlier in the period, LeBlanc connected with Van Volsen on a nifty pass out of the corner and into the slot. The latter didn't finish the opportunity but it was another example of the budding synergy between the pair. 

With prior NCAA experience, LeBlanc's transition to the OUA has been a valuable resource for the team and coaching staff. 

"She just comes with so much experience and a very high hockey IQ," said Bold Head Coach Lisa Haley. "The motor is never off and I'm happy that she's got another couple of years (on the Bold) after this as well. 

Before the period ended, the Warriors regained the lead when Katina Duscio scored a goal from near the left face-off circle. The traffic in front of the net made it difficult for Pyburn to react to a last-second deflection. 

The second period began with Bold rookie goalie Katie Frost making her OUA debut. Frost had been rehabbing from an injury since the off-season. When Frost looked ready, the coaches implemented a plan to deploy the Millarville, Ont., native. 

"We wanted to get Katie into the game somehow without having all the pressure of being a starter," explained Haley. "She looked pretty calm out there to be quite honest." 

Despite allowing two goals before intermission, Frost was phenomenal between the pipes. She made 14 of her 23 saves in the second period. Along with Pyburn, the Bold have an exciting rookie goaltending tandem to build their defence around. 

Similar to the opening frame, the Warriors increased their intensity as the period progressed. After Gray recorded her second goal, the reigning OUA Player of the Year Carly Orth scored on the power play to extend Waterloo's lead to 4-1. 

Gray later added another in the third period to complete the hat trick. 

Immediately after the goal, Haley called a timeout, seemingly to give her team a chance to recollect themselves. Moments later, the Bold manufactured a quality scoring chance for Katie Leroux. While Leroux couldn't finish the opportunity, the Bold executed at a noticeably higher level for the remainder of the contest. 

The Bold take the ice next in a rematch against the Waterloo Warriors on Nov. 28. The puck drops in Waterloo at 7:00 p.m. on OUA.tv.