TORONTO, ON - Wednesday night at York University, the Gryphons women's soccer team was able to accomplish something that no other OUA team had this season: beat the No. 4-ranked York Lions. A late goal from rookie Victoria Hinchliffe lifted the Gryphons to a 1-0 victory over the previously undefeated Lions. With the win, the Gryphons improve to 8-2-3 (wins-losses-draws) on the season, while the Lions fall to 9-1-3. The Gryphons now sit three points back of York for first place in the OUA West standings with three games remaining in the regular season.

When these two teams met earlier this season in Guelph, the Gryphons were able to hold York to a scoreless draw, and in doing so, became the first team in 2016 to take points off of York who had entered that game a perfect 6-0. Wednesday night, the two teams met once again and produced a similarly tight contest. After a scoreless opening 45 minutes of play, York came close to opening the scoring 15 minutes into the second half when Lions striker Ashley Nater headed a cross off the post. With the game still knotted at 0-0 in the 85th minute, Nater once again came close to giving the Lions the lead. From just inside the 18-yard-box, Nater fired a shot that seemed destined for the far corner, but an outstretched hand from Gryphons keeper Libby Brenneman resulted in a sensational save and deflected the ball out for a corner. It was a match-saving stop from Brenneman who appeared to secure a draw for the visitors. While leaving York with a hard fought point would have been a solid result, Guelph's standout rookie forward had other ideas.

After a beautifully weighted ball from midfielder Andrea Cimino, Victoria Hinchliffe was able to get in behind the Lions back four. After running onto the ball, Hinchliffe was able to get her foot to a volley and send the ball up and over York's keeper and into the back of the net for the match-winning goal. For Hinchliffe, it was her team-leading eighth goal of the season. Hinchliffe's eight goals on the year have her tied for fourth amongst the OUA's scoring leaders and tied for seventh in the CIS. That late marker would prove to be the difference as the Gryphons escaped with a 1-0 victory behind an impressive overall team effort.

The Gryphons are now riding a five-game win streak and have not conceded a goal during that stretch. They will be back in action on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 15) in St. Catharines when they face the Brock Badgers (4-7-1).