Lindsay Cole scored the eventual winner as the Victoria Vikes opened the Canadian university field hockey championship with a 4-2 victory over the Guelph Gryphons on Thursday.
Victoria, which has competed at 35-of-42 national championships, recorded its seventh win over Guelph on the national stage.
Cole's goal came on an individual effort in the 56th minute.
"I just saw a bit of an opening between the defenders so I took it and then there was one last player who I wasn't sure if I could get around but I did and then everything just worked with my shot," said Cole.
"We treat every game like a must-win game and for sure this was. Guelph is good competition but this win definitely helps us for the rest of the tournament."
Kristina Walters-Shumka, Cilia van Nierop and Amanda Kruianowicz, with an insurance marker in the 60th minute, also scored for Victoria.
Olivia Lane scored twice for Guelph.
In Thursday's other round-robin game, Stephanie Norlander scored two goals to lead the five-time reigning national champion UBC Thunderbirds to a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues.
"It's awesome to come out with a win like this," said Norlander. "I think we played a good team game so that's exciting and we're looking forward to tomorrow."
Preliminary-round action continues on Friday. Toronto (0-1) plays Guelph (0-1) while UBC (1-0) takes on Victoria (1-0).
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