The Cambridge-Oxford ice hockey rivalry is recognised as one of the oldest hockey rivalries in the world, dating back to 1885. In the 1980s women's teams were formed at both universities and have met every year since in the annual varsity match.

Varsity 2009

To be held Sunday, March 8th at 6:30 pm at Peterborough Planet Ice. Tickets on sale soon.

Varsity 2008

Match Report

The tension was high inside the Oxford Ice Rink on March 2nd as the Oxford Dark Blues played host to the Cambridge Light Blues in the Varsity Women’s Ice Hockey Match. Oxford, the 11-year reigning champions came into the game ready to defend their title. Conversely, Cambridge had come to prove themselves and to bring the trophy home.

A steady first period saw Cambridge off to a strong start with Sarah Cartwright and Nienke Patel working well behind the net to clear the puck. Nerves were wound tight as 18 goal-less minutes ticked by. Finally, debut centre, Sarah Creber lifted the puck over the goaltender sending the puck bouncing tantalisingly off the goaltender's helmet, shoulder, and pads, finally crossing the goal line. For most of the team, this was their first experience of a Varsity lead. The end of first period saw a high-spirited Cambridge leave the ice.

 

A seesaw of goals in the second period shook the game into high gear as a both teams returned to the ice determined for the Cup. 37 seconds in saw Creber living up to her 'creeper' status with a shot from behind the net that rebounded off the back of the goaltender into the net. Cambridge's celebration was short-lived however, with Oxford's Meaghan O'Reilly making successive rushes at the Cambridge net, scoring twice in 25 seconds, bringing the score to 2 apiece. This just seemed to fuel Cambridge's fight though, with veteran winger Barbara Richter scoring two goals in response, with a nifty wrap-around and a flick over the keeper. Richter and Creber both completed their hat-tricks before the end of the period with a back-handed goal and another wrap-around.Cambridge was only slightly troubled with a Oxford's O'Reilly tallying three by the end of the period as well. End of period score 6-3 for Cambridge.

 

Cambridge pulled together a calm and focussed start to the third period with defenders Sarah Johnson and Jennifer Rutter skating hard to shutdown breakouts. Offensively, Cambridge did not ease up either with hard rushes on goal by Johnson and rookie centre Stacey Hickson. Richter, on a mission to redeem four years losing in a row started the scoring in the third, putting away a superb, top right-hand shot.With ten minutes remaining, Richter scored her final goal for Cambridge and the match to put Cambridge on top at 8-3. The best near-goal of the game however was provided by a Wakinson/Creber partnership, with Clare Watkinson connecting on Creber's flick from behind the net into the slot late in the third. The exuberant Cambridge bench shouted down the final seconds before bursting onto the rink to celebrate their hard-earned and well-deserved Varsity win.

Richter's spectacular five-goal performance earned her 'Player of the Match' and the feisty Watkinson took home 'Spirit of the Match' for her determined - albeit bone-crushing - efforts. At the other end of the rink, Cambridge goaltender Elena Marshall had an impressive game, providing consistent, near flawless action in net. Bench coaches Bill Harris, Andy Stephenson, and Ian Evans were superb in managing the team play from a tense start to the glorious finish.