LONDON, ON - In the opening round of the OUA playoffs, the Gryphons used some shootout heroics to advance to the conference Quarterfinals. On Sunday afternoon in London, the Gryphons 2016 season officially came to an end in a shootout loss to the Western Mustangs. 

The first penalty kick of the match took place well before the shootout. Unfortunately for the Gryphons, that one did not go their way either. With around 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Gryphons rookie forward Jacquie Preza was brought down from behind inside the 18-yard box. The Gryphons were awarded a penalty. Midfielder Ann-Carolyn Lang stepped up and beat the Western keeper, but not the post. Lang sent a right-footed strike towards the left side, only to see her shot deflect off the woodwork and out. The Gryphons and Mustangs remained scoreless after 90 minutes of play.

In extra time, both teams came agonizingly close to scoring the game's first goal. A great chance by the Gryphons was denied when the Mustangs were able to clear the ball off the goaline. Towards the end of extra time, it appeared Western had found the winner, but it was the Gryphons turn to clear the ball off their own line to keep the game scoreless.

In the shootout, the Mustangs were able to convert on four of their five penalties to win 4-2. Allison Clouse and Sarah Magalhaes both converted from the spot for the Gryphons during the shootout. For Magalhaes, it would mark her final kick as a Gryphon as the senior is one of four players set to graduate, joining Meredith Langston, Danielle Canhoto and Holly Miller.

After the match, Gryphons head coach Randy Ragan reflected on what was a successful season for his squad, "Our players have a lot to be proud of this season. We have one of the best goals-for-and-against margins in the country and were able to put together a really strong second half of the season. Today, we worked extremely hard and unfortunately when it comes down to penalties, anything can happen."

Had the Gryphons found a way to win Sunday's game, they would have played host to the OUA Final Four as top-seeded York was upset by Windsor earlier in the day. Instead, it will be the Western Mustangs playing host to the OUA Final Four, which is set to get underway on Saturday, Nov. 5th.