The men's lacrosse team opened the 2011 regular season with a convincing 18-7 win over the visiting Laurentian Voyageurs.

The Gryphons took command of the game from the opening face off and built a 3-0 lead on goals by Ryan Serville(Pickering, ON),Jordan Daradick (Welland, ON) and Eric Hubert (Mississauga, ON) before the 5-minute mark.  

Laurentian managed to get onto the score sheet at the 7:30 mark but Guelph responded with 3 more unanswered goals to lead the 6-1 after the first quarter.  

Curtis Knight (Oshawa, ON) and Russell Poulton (Toronto, ON) both scored early in the second frame. With a comfortable 8-1 and the game seemingly out of reach, the Gryphons veered away from their structured offense and started to play a more run-and-gun style. As a result, the team squandered several good scoring opportunities, turning the ball over after several unforced errors.   Laurentian took advantage by scoring on a broken play and on a power play opportunity. With a 1:30 left in the half, Curtis Knight scored his third of the game giving the Gryphons 9-3 half-time lead. 

Guelph's goalie,Jeremy Snider(Kitchener, ON) had a solid outing for the Gryphons, facing 10 shot in the first half. Connor Danko (Pelham, ON) stepped into the pipes back-stop Guelph in the second half. 

Once again, the Gryphons came out hard, scoring 4 times before Laurentian could regroup. Serville recorded his second and assisted on rookie Garrett Williams' (Oshawa, ON) first goal as a Gryphon. Jordan Critch (Orangeville, ON) banked in a behind-the-back shot off the Laurentian goalie's chest and then Eric Hubert scored again. Laurentian responded but shortly after, Gryphon midfielder Jordan Daradick made a Laurentian defender look silly and ripped out a top corner with a blast from 12 yards out. Laurentian managed another in the last minute of the quarter.

Leading 15-5 going into the final quarter, Guelph was firmly in control. But once again, the Gryphons lost their composure, allowing Laurentian 2 unanswered goals in the first half of the frame.  Guelph was able to regroup and finish the game scoring three more for Williams, Taylor Brown (Peterborough, ON) and Deuchars (Toronto, ON).  

In the net for Guelph, Danko had solid second half for the Gryphons, stopping 6.  

"Overall, it was a solid performance and a great way to start the season," said Gryphon Coach Sam Kosakowski. "We played well defensively and has moments of brilliance on offense. If we can work on making better decisions in transition, it will clean up some of the sloppy play that gives our opponents opportunities.  

The Gryphons have little time to rest as they meet Western on Sunday Setp.18 at the Great Canadian Lax Bash hosted at Laurier. Game time is 6pm.