TMU Athletics & Recreation

WATERLOO, Ont. — The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team fell 5-1 to the Laurier Golden Hawks in their season opener on Saturday afternoon.

The Bold entered the game hoping to start their season off with a bang, keeping possession in the neutral zone for the first few minutes. Early in the first period, forward Neely Van Volson was called for tripping, giving the Golden Hawks their first power play of the afternoon. Fortunately, the offensive pressure was no match for second-year goaltender Katie Frost.

After missing the majority of the season last year with an injury, Frost made her first appearance between the pipes since Jan. 30. Despite a flurry of moves around the net, Frost made some spectacular saves early in the contest, including a sprawling save after four consecutive shots to send the Bold bench into a cheering frenzy. 

Boasting the fifth-ranked penalty killing unit (83.3 per cent) in the OUA during the 2025-26 season, TMU was eager to show that its special teams remain dominant. Being shorthanded so early into the game is never ideal, but the Bold were determined to show that it didn't faze them, killing the penalty with ease. 

Increasing their pressure on TMU's end, Laurier was constantly on the doorstep. Some great defending and, more incredibly, quick saves by Frost kept the score even at zero. Midway through the first, the Bold received their first power play on a cross-checking call. Unfortunately, after multiple attempts, TMU was unable to clear the puck from its own end, and its advantage dwindled. 

Still tied 0-0, Laurier had an opportunity to catch Frost off guard, making yet another flurry of moves in front of the net. However, captain Eden Dusome was ready for it, using her stick to deflect the puck away from the net.

Nearly six minutes into the second period, TMU found itself shorthanded when rookie forward Anna McKee was sent to the box for cross-checking. Fortunately, the Bold's special teams unit held strong, successfully caging the Golden Hawks.

Thirty seconds after killing the penalty, the Bold were penalized again on another cross-checking call, this time on rookie defender Ava Clavelle. 

On their second power play in as many minutes, the Golden Hawks were able to sneak a rebounded puck past Frost to open the scoring.

Midway through the second, Laurier's bench was penalized for interference, putting TMU back up on the power play. An unfortunate turnover by the Bold deposited the puck right onto an opponent's stick, and the Golden Hawks would double the score while shorthanded. 

With frustration building for the Bold, they were gifted another opportunity when Laurier was called for slashing. Just a minute later, TMU's power play was turned into a 4-on-4 when fifth-year forward Britni Yammine was boxed for unnecessary roughness.

As the second period came to a close, they were outshot 34-8 by Laurier.

Four minutes into the third period, a loose puck slipped past both Ahalya Julien-Mederios and Frost, making it a 3-0 game. 

Hoping to shake up the Golden Hawks' shutout hopes, fourth-year defender Jayden Fox stole the puck, carrying it down the ice. Fox made a pass to Yammine, who quickly shot it to second-year defender Maddy Collins, who just missed amidst the chaos. 

Seconds later, Collins got the puck, shot again, and this time buried it past Laurier's netminder, putting TMU on the board.

10 seconds later, the Bold found themselves with yet another advantage, as the Golden Hawks were called for cross-checking. Unfortunately, the Golden Hawks overcame the player advantage, containing the Bold in their own half.

Laurier added two more goals before the final buzzer.

Although it wasn't the way the Bold wanted to start the 2026-27 season, the team still demonstrated strengths in their loss. Frost's incredible goaltending performance and the Bold's special team unit are just two of many reasons why this team is poised to make a comeback statement this upcoming season. 

The Bold will head home and get ready to take on the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in their annual "School Day" home opener. The heavily anticipated game, by Bold players and coaches alike, will take place on Oct. 23. Puck drop is set for 11:15 a.m., and students can attend for free with their OneCards.