Today (Sept 30) the Guelph Gryphons women's soccer team defeated the Western Mustangs 1-0 at the Gryphon Soccer Complex.
 
The win boosts the Gryphons to 4-2-3 and drops the second place Mustangs to 6-2-2.
 
Eager to replicate their success over the Gryphons last week, the Mustangs struck into the Gryphon defence within the opening minute.  But thanks to a spectacular save by rookie keeper Alexandra King (Ottawa, Ont.) the Gryphons were able to rally to launch an attack of their own. 
 
But it would seem that dominant tackling and ball control would not be enough to dent the Mustang defence.  A late break by Erica Bain put the Gryphons on top of the Mustangs in shots as they finished the half with five attempts on net.  Alexandra King recorded four saves to maintain momentum going into halftime. 
 
Following the Gryphon dominance of possession in the first, the momentum took a much more sporadic turn leading into the second.  As Guelph struggled to maintain control, the Mustang offence wasted no time in battering the Gryphon defence with an additional seven shots on net in the second half alone. However, thanks to efforts from Alexandra Lundhild (Mississauga, Ont.), Ellie MacDonald (Aurora, Ont.) and Lauren Hampton(Calgary, AB.) Alex King was able to easily bat aside any serious Mustang threats.
 
With Kaitlin Mulholland (Burlington, Ont.), Erica Bain (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and Breanna Hall (Ottawa, Ont.) re-entry to the game in the 67^th, a drastic shift in possession was in the making.  And, after several strikes on goal, a Mustang miscommunication in the backfield allowed Breanna Hall to slip through and beat the Mustang keeper to put Guelph up 1-0 in the 89^th minute.
 
The Gryphon core was able to quell the Mustang retaliation in extra time to give Alex King her third shut-out in OUA regulation.
 
The Gryphons look to extend their win streak this Wednesday (October 3) as they travel to Oshawa to take on the UOIT Ridgebacks.  The game is scheduled to start at 8:00pm.