WINDSOR – The Guelph Gryphons women's soccer team enjoyed plenty of opportunity in their OUA season opener. And the effort was certainly there. But the Gryphons, despite registering 15 shots (nine on target), were unable to produce a decisive goal and had to settle for a 0-0 draw with the host Windsor Lancers at Alumni Field Friday night.
 

The new-look Gryphons (0-0-1), OUA quarter-finalists in 2016, looked hungry for goals in their first half of action this season. Guelph outshot the strong Lancers side 8-1 in the opening 45 minutes, forcing several saves from Lancers' goalkeeper Krystin Lawrence. Windsor would settle into the game offensively in the second half but Guelph still sent another seven shots Lawrence's way, to Windsor's six.

"I was very pleased that we created so many opportunities to score," said Guelph's first-year coach Shayne Campbell. "We were so close on several occasions. We take a lot of good things from that.

"We will have to convert those chances."

Campbell said the positive approach was a continuation of the successful pre-season for the Gryphons, when they allowed just a single goal in four exhibition matches. Guelph had at least three legitimate chances to score. Last year's OUA West Rookie of the Year Victoria Hinchliffe got behind the Windsor backline midway through the first half for a breakaway but her shot was denied by Lawrence. Early in the second half, third-year forward Hayley Howes struck the post. And about 10 minutes later, second-year midfielder Danielle Sauve cut a ball back to Ann-Carolyn Lang, who made beautiful contact but sailed the ball over the bar.

"The players executed what we asked," said Campbell. "Windsor is a good side and hard to break down. We did a good job and defended well.
"You leave and feel like you wanted more out of it but for a first game we played really positive. There's lots to build on and we're encouraged."

It was a quiet opening match for the Gryphons' veteran goalkeeper Elizabeth Brenneman. The fourth-year player was called on to make just a single save from the Lancers' eight total shots, resulting in a simple first clean sheet of the season.

The Gryphons get back on the pitch Sunday, Aug. 27 when they face the Western Mustangs in London. Match time is 1 pm.