The men's lacrosse team dropped to 1-1 on the season with a Sunday night 9-8 loss to Western.

The Gryphons jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by veteran midfielder Joel McQuigge (Peterborough, ON) and Russell Poulton (Toronto, ON).   Jeremy Snider (Kitchener, ON), Guelph's veteran goal tender, made several spectacular saves and it looked as though Guelph was in complete control. But Guelph's offense was unable to take advantage of opportunities to build on their lead and gradually Western managed to claw back to tie the game. Connor Deuchars (Toronto, ON) put the Gryphons ahead 3-2 with 2 minutes remaining but a defensive lapse with only seconds left let Western tie the game again.

Western scored in the second minute of the second quarter, putting Guelph on their heels. The Gryphons began to lose the battle for loose balls and when they were able to get possession, Guelph struggled to maintain it. At the 6:20 mark, Eric Hubert (Mississauga, ON) tied the game for Guelph but Guelph gave up another late quarter goal and Western took a 5-4 lead to the half.

Despite their struggles in the second quarter, the Gryphons were still in the game and came out hard to start the third. They won the opening faceoff and the first 3 ground balls. Less than two minutes into the quarter Hubert had his second of the game and once again it was tied.   Five minutes later, veteran attackman Braden Gallant (Burlington, ON) fired one from outside that found the bottom corner and the Gryphons were again back in the lead.   The Gryphon defence fought hard to shut down Western's offense but an unlucky bounce after a good defensive play allowed Western a chance draw even.

With the game tied at six the game came down to the last 20 minutes. The Gryphons took an early penalty and Western capitalized.   Gallant then had his second of the game on another low bouncer from outside to tied the game. Guelph again had its chances, getting several good looks and then Jordan Critch (Orangeville, ON) found the mark to put Guelph up with half of the quarter left. 

After another good defensive stand the Gryphons were setting up to clear the ball when a relatively harmless looking Gryphon pass deflected off a Western attackman's stick. The ball took an odd bounce and ended up in another western player's possession in front of Guelph's net and the game was again tied.  Two minutes later, Western took the lead and Guelph had to pressure the ball everywhere on the field.

Guelph's defence again did its job pressuring Western's clear, forcing a turnover at half field. The Gryphons quickly advanced the ball but Hubert couldn't connect with an open Deuchars. Then, the teams traded penalties and the Gryphons found themselves with a 5 on 4 power play. Guelph couldn't capitalize but got another chance as Western went offside. Again, Guelph couldn't get a good shot away. The Gryphons pressured again, forced another turn over, but an interference call put an end to Guelph's chance to tie the game.

"We need to get better at some simple things," commented Coach Kosakowski following the game. "We played well defensively but we made some bad choices in transition and on offense". Despite battling hard in the second half, Western still won the loose ball battle and had fewer turnovers than the Gryphons. 

The Gryphons won't have much time to work on things however. They face Brock on Friday, Sept. 23 at home. Game time is 7pm.