Box Score
An energetic, home crowd gathered this evening (Oct. 4) at the Gryphon Centre to cheer on the Gryphon women's hockey team as they opened their 2012-2013 season. The Gryphons battled hard against the Ridgebacks and were rewarded with a 4-2 over their opponents.

With the win, the Gryphons sit atop the OUA standings with a 1-0 record, while the Ridgebacks drop to 0-1. 

The Gryphons wasted no time and took an early lead in the first period. Captain Tam Bell (Guelph, ON) notched her first goal of the 2012-2013 season at 5:51 after taking advantage of a crisp pass from line mate, Jenna Lanzarotta (Mississauga, ON) with help from Kailtyn Mora (Guelph, ON).

Less than five minutes later, Emily Corbett combined with Kimberly Wong (Mississauga, ON) and rookie center, Amanda Parkins (Kitchener, ON) to put the Gryphons up 2-0, with a power play goal at 10:13.

Each team had power play opportunities before the end of the first period, but neither squad was able to capitalize.

During the second period, the Ridgebacks were looking to come back from their two-goal deficit. At 9:04, Jill Morillo (Whitby, ON) put UOIT on the scoreboard with a goal, assisted by Nicole LoPresti and Melissa Berney (Bowmanville, ON).

The Ridgebacks began to rally, testing the Gryphons stamina and mental toughness in the second period, and although UOIT created a few scoring chances, the Gryphons were able to hang on to their lead.  

At 12:34 in the third period, the Gryphons gave up a short handed goal when LoPresti netted an unassisted goal, tying the game at 2-2. The Gryphons would quickly respond, securing the lead once more with a goal from stand-out rookie, Parkins, with help from Michelle Sabourin at 13:13. Minutes later, Christine Grant scored an insurance goal for Guelph, assisted by Parkins and Jessica Pinkerton, to extending their lead to 4-2 and secure the win; time of the goal was 15:14. Brooke Siddall went the distance for the Gryphons stopping 14 of 16 shots.

"We have a few things we still need to work on because we didn't play a full 60 minutes," said Head Coach Rachel Flanagan. "We gave enough up to let them [UOIT] get back in the game, so it's important for us to recognize that when we do get up by a couple goals, that's when we have to go harder. We seemed to take our foot off the gas tonight."

The Gryphons are scheduled to play the first of six consecutive road games Saturday, October 6, when they travel to York to take on the Lions. The puck drops at 2PM.