GUELPH, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphons women's lacrosse team will open up their 2019 OUA regular season this weekend in Kingston. Head coach
Staci Morris returns for her fifth season in charge of the Gryphons, who enter 2019 with a large crop of incoming rookies looking to compliment some proven veterans and build off of a solid, five-win season in 2018, the team's highest win total since 2013.
Headlining the list of returning players is team captain
Susanna Coss, who was named an OUA Second Team All-Star in 2018.
Coss returns for her fourth season to anchor the Gryphon midfield, while the team's attack is also led by a proven fourth-year player in Oakville native
Erin Murray.
The Gryphons will be on the road for the majority of their 13-game regular season schedule, with the lone home games at the Gryphon Soccer Complex taking place on Sunday, September 29 when the Gryphons host the Western Mustangs and McMaster Marauders.
The 2019 OUA Women's Lacrosse Championship tournament is set for October 18-20 in Oshawa where the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks will serves as hosts.
Quote from head coach Staci Morris:
"We're really excited for this season. With close to half the team being rookies, the key to success this season will be to establish good team chemistry early on. We have a great group of veterans to lead this. All of these women are talented, hardworking players who have already shown their passion for the game and depth of the sport."
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS (3 or 4):
1. Susanna Coss, 4th year, Midfield, team captain
2. Erin Murray, 4th year, Attack, one of the leading goal scorers
3. Derry Wallis, 4th year, Defense, seasoned veteran, leads the defense
4. Katya Lopez-Bondarchuk, 2
nd year, Midfield, reliable anywhere on the field
KEY ADDITIONS (3 or 4):
1. Grace Shaughnessy, Attack, Peterborough
2. Kirsten Sutter, Defence, Chatsworth
3. Jade Barko, Attack, Chatham
KEY LOSSES:
1. Shayla Larson – starting goalie in 2018
2. Nicole Gastle- Defence & team captain
3. Carly Stephens – Defence – 2018 team MVP
