HAMILTON - With two games remaining in the 2011 regular season, a win at McMaster on Wednesday (Oct. 12) night put the men's lacrosse record at 7-1.   The game was much closer than the 16-9 score would indicate.
 
Guelph played a good portion of the first quarter on defence but the defence was able to generate two key turnovers, resulting in two fast-break goals from Gryphon attackman Ryan Serville (Pickering, ON).    Despite having several offensive chances, Guelph could not capitalize and the quarter ended with the teams tied at two.
 
In the second, Guelph dominated in time of possession and were relentless going to the McMaster net.  Eric Hubert (Mississauga, ON) put the Gryphons ahead on the power play at the beginning of the quarter, while Jordan Critch (Orangeville, ON) capped the quarter off with a power play goal of his own.  In between, Jordan Jordan Daradick (Welland, ON) added two after a couple of nifty one on one moves and Hubert added another.  At the half, Guelph led 8-3.
 
Critch added another power play goal in the first minute of the third quarter and it looked as though Guelph would run away with the game.  However, the Gryphons got bogged down in undisciplined play, turning the ball over on offense and taking several penalties.  While McMaster was only able to generate one power play goal, they maintained possession of the ball for the majority of the quarter.  They scored four unanswered goals to get within one of the Gryphons until Curtis Knight (Oshawa, ON) put an end to McMaster's run.
 
"This game is all about discipline and momentum," said University of Guelph head coach Sam Kosakowski after the game.  "We had neither in the third quarter and as a result, found ourselves in a tough spot."
 
McMaster scored again, but Serville responded with his third of the night, giving the Gryphons a tenuous 10-8 lead going into the final quarter.
 
The fourth quarter was all Guelph. Benjamin Vangalen (Orangeville, ON) started things off by winning yet another of his 20 face off wins on the night.  The Gryphons quickly moved the ball into McMaster's end, leading to a Jordan Critch goal less than 30 seconds into the quarter.  McMaster then took several penalties, which allowed the Gryphons to dictate the flow of the game.  Guelph outscored McMaster 6-1 in the final frame to walk away with the win.
 
Rounding out the scoring for the Gryphons were Braden Gallant (Burlington, ON) , with a goal and three assists, Jordan Critch and Jordan Daradick with three and one each and Ryan Serville with four goals.  Eric Hubert scored three while Connor Deuchars (Toronto, ON) had a goal and a helper and Curtis Knight added a single.
 
The biggest test of the season for the Gryphons will come on Sunday against Brock, at Brock.  The teams will be battling for first place and the highest seeding in the playoffs.  Game time is 2pm.