Guelph, ON – Nick Parisotto (Football) and Ann-Carolyn Lang (Women's Soccer) have been named Gryphon Athletes of the Week for the period ending September 7, 2015.
Nick Parisotto – Defensive Back, Football
Second year defensive back Nick Parisotto (Guelph, ON) takes home Gryphon Athlete of the Week honours after coming up with a pair of game-changing interceptions in the Gryphons 30-19 victory over Laurier on Labour Day. The Hawks were trailing by two scores early in the fourth quarter and were primed to make it just a one score game if not for Parisotto. On a first and goal from the five-yard line, Laurier quarterback James Fracas was forced to get rid of the ball early. Parisotto was providing some man-to-man coverage in the endzone but was able to locate the ball, adjust his body and come down with a crucial interception.
With the score still 30-17 Guelph and with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, it was déjà vu for the Hawks who once again were on the move and poised to cut into the lead. This time, on a first and 10 from the Guelph 15-yard line, Fracas would have his pass tipped and picked off by Parisotto for a second time. Last season as rookie, Parisotto finished tied for second in the conference with four interceptions during the regular season; his two red zone interceptions on Labour Day helped seal the victory for the Gryphons who improved to 2-0 on the season.
Parisotto and the rest of the sixth-ranked Gryphons will be back in action on Saturday, September 12 when they travel to Toronto to face the 0-2 York Lions. That game will kickoff at 1pm and can be seen live on OUA.tv
Ann-Carolyn Lang – Midfielder, Women's Soccer
Ann-Carolyn Lang earns the title of Gryphon Athlete of the Week after scoring the match-winning goal on Sunday (September 6) against the Waterloo Warriors. After the Gryphons Women's Soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision away from home on Wednesday (Sept. 2) in London versus Western, the team was in need of three points in their match Sunday in Waterloo. With the score deadlocked at 0-0 in the 74
th minute, the Gryphons would breakthrough thanks to some nice work by Kristina Strojin. With her back to goal, she was able to turn and play a ball back across the face of goal. Ann-Carolyn, or "A.C." as she is known by her teammates, showed great pace to be able to get on the end of that ball before finishing it off for the first goal of her Gryphon career.
Note: Ann-Carolyn is in her first year with the Gryphons Women's Soccer team, but did score one gaol during the team's preseason schedule.
Lang, a Toronto native and Applied Human Nutrition major, has provided the Gryphons with great versatility, showing the ability to play left back, centre defensive midfield while also showcasing a strong ability to go forward and join the attack. Lang has started all four matches of the Gryphons 2015 regular season schedule so far this season and is described by her coach, Randy Ragan, as a smart, technically-sound player.
The Gryphons Women's Soccer team is 3-1-0 this season (Wins-Losses-Draws) and will be in action next on Saturday, September 12 when they host the Brock Badgers. The match will start at 1pm at the Gryphon Soccer Complex.
