Box Score
London, ON - For the second season in a row, the Gryphons Women's Soccer team found themselves heading down the 401 to London for a playoff matchup with the Mustangs. Last year, the Gryphons lost 3-0 to Western in an OUA Quarter-final game. This year, the Gryphons made sure their season would continue beyond their postseason trip to London. On Wednesday night at Mustangs Field, the Gryphons won 1-0 over Western in an opening round playoff matchup. Ann-Carolyn Lang (Toronto, ON) scored the game's lone goal in the 11th minute and helped the Gryphons book a spot in the OUA Quarter-finals.

Despite being ranked the No. 7 team in the country, the Western Mustangs were the third-best team in a stacked OUA West Division behind Laurier and York (ranked No. 6 and No. 2 in the CIS respectively). The Mustangs climbed into the CIS Top 10 this year thanks to an impressive 11-2-3 regular season record. The Gryphons meanwhile, struggled down the stretch and grabbed the last playoff spot as the No. 6 seed in the OUA West after posting a 6-10-0 record during the regular season. Western also won both head-to-head meetings during the regular season, both by scores of 2-0. Of course, none of that mattered come Wednesday night. It was win-or-go-home. And the Gryphons got off to a great start.

In the 11th minute of play, Meredith Langston's cross into the 18-yard box found an unmarked Ann-Carolyn Lang. Lang, who is in her first year with the Gryphons Women's Soccer team, touch one touch and promptly fired a perfectly placed shot hard and low, off the post and in to give the Gryphons a 1-0 lead. The score would remain that way heading into halftime. In the second half, the Mustangs seemed primed to find the equalizer if not for some great play from Gryphon goalkeeper Holly Miller (Oakville, ON). Early in the second half, a Western attack ended with a bullet of a shot taken from just outside the 18-yard box. The shot was destined for the back of the net, but the outstretched finger tips of Holly Miller were enough to steer the shot just wide of the post. It was the save of the night for Miller, who was in top form throughout. Even when Miller wasn't there to save the day, her teammates were.

With the score still 1-0 Guelph late in the second half, the Mustangs were once again pressing for the equalizer. A mad scramble in front of Guelph net ended with the Mustangs once again coming agonizingly close to tying the game. This time, with Miller out of position, the Western shot was cleared off the line by a trio of Gryphon defenders who had formed an inpromptu wall to maintain the one-goal lead. It was symbolic of a great team effort on the night for the Gryphons, who would escape with the 1-0 victory. Another standout performance on the night worthy of recognition is that of second year defender Allison Clouse (Oakville, ON) who was sensational in the middle of the Gryphon defence, clearing away header after header from incoming crosses.

Up next for the Gryphons, a trip to York University on Sunday, November 1 to face the No. 2 team in the country in the undefeated York Lions (15-0-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 1pm in Toronto.