The men's soccer team continued to struggle this past weekend dropping a pair of games to Waterloo (1-0) on Saturday at home and then traveled to Laurier and fell 1-0 on Sunday. The Gryphons have dropped four consecutive games by scores of 1-0, and have yet to score a goal in the regular season.
On Saturday a disappointing performance saw the Gryphons lost to Waterloo on a strike in the first half. The game started slowly with both teams attempting to feel the other out. Waterloo played a very physical game and challenged for every aerial ball. The Gryphons displayed a good balance of youth and experience. Rookie goalkeeper
Chad Paparoni made an excellent save to keep the score 1-0, and spurred the Guelph attack into life. The final 20 minutes of play were in the Waterloo end with Guelph dominating the play and creating many chances, the best of which were rookie Dena Lezady's shot off the cross bar and veteran
Angus Moylan volley that went just wide. In the end, the Gryphons were unable to find the back of the net, and fell 1-0.
The following day the Gryphons traveled to Waterloo to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks. Head coach Keith Mason gave the line-up a shake-up for with several first and second year players in the starting 11. The Guelph defenders dealt well with a well-organized WLU attack and the Gryphons midfield did a much better job of winning the ball both on the ground and in the air. Guelph saw great physical play from Angus Moylan and
Brenden Springer, and stellar play from captain
Ben Ragan who completed all but one of his passes over the 90 minutes. The only goal of the game again went to the opposition when a free kick was poorly dealt with at the back post. Despite the loss the Gryphons showed a much better effort and another impressive defensive display, and real hope for future games with so many young players playing so well.
The results put the Gryphons at the bottom of the league and still waiting for their first goal of the season, however the team gave a good effort against the Golden Hawks, commented head coach Keith Mason after starting the game with six rookies and two second year players.
The Gryphons hope to turn around the season when they host the McMaster Marauders next Sunday (Sept. 19) in Alumni Stadium at 3:15 p.m.