The men's lacrosse team faced their long-time rivals from Brock for the first time this season at the Gryphons new Soccer Complex on a dark and stormy night. The Gryphons, despite a slow start in the first quarter, dominated Brock for the majority of the game and came away with a decisive 13-7 victory. The Gryphons advance to a 2-1 record on the season.
Leading the Gryphons in scoring was Ryan Serville with four goals and two assists. Eric Hubert had three goals and two assists, Jordan Critch tallied 2-1 and Mike Teeter, Curtis Knight, Joe Wasson and Jordan Daradick (Welland, ON) had one goal apiece. Rookie Garrett Williams (Oshawa, ON) earned three assists while Rusty Poulton (Toronto, ON), Braden Gallant (Burlington, ON) and Paul Forester (Toronto, ON) each recorded one.
Jeremy Snider faced 19 shots in the pipes for Guelph in the win.
Head coach Kosakowski liked the play of his veteran longstick Ben Vangalen.
"All of the longsticks did a great job tonight, but Ben must have forced 10 turnovers and he did a fantastic job taking face offs," said Kosakowski.
Gryphon rookie longstick Kristien Leblanc (Oakville, ON) had a solid game for Guelph, stepping in for an injured Brodie Slacer and Nick Vangalen (Orangeville, ON), also in his rookie year for Guelph was equally impressive running both longstick midfield and close defence.
"The guys were focused and did what we asked of them tonight'" said Kosakowski. "We fought for every loose ball, limited our turnovers and played smart lacrosse on both sides of the ball. The boys deserved a big win tonight".
Mike Teeter (Orangeville, ON) opened the scoring for the Gryphons at the 7:04 mark of the first quarter. Guelph had ample opportunity to score up to that point but could not solve Brock's goaltending. Defensively, lead by veteran longsticks Colin Skyvington (Mississauga, ON) and Ben Vangalen (Orangeville, ON), the Gryphons were able to hold off the Badgers for the first half of the quarter but Brock finally scored 10 minutes into the frame.
Guelph seemed to be in a bit of disarray following the goal and Brock took advantage, scoring two more before the end of the quarter. The Gryphons outshot Brock 9-8 but were down by two. To make matters worse, Brock scored one minute into the second quarter and momentum was clearly on Brock's side.
Despite not being able to score, the Gryphons never relented. Finally, Guelph's power play was given an opportunity at the 5:20 mark. Ryan Serville (Pickering, ON) took a great cross crease feed from Eric Hubert (Mississauga, ON) and gave Guelph their second goal of the game. Guelph continued to be relentless on defence as well, limiting Brock to only six shots on goal in the second quarter. Offensively, they kept up their barrage. Late in the quarter, Gryphon midfielder Jordan Critch (Orangeville, ON) fired a rocket that went off the Brock goalie's head, forcing him out of the game.
The Gryphons scored on their next two shots in the quarter and tied the game at four at the half.
The Gryphons won the face off to start the second half and never looked back, scoring four goals on five shots in the third quarter. Ryan Serville added two, and Curtis Knight (Oshawa, ON) and Joe Wasson (Peterborough, ON) had singles. Defensively, the Gryphons gave little up to Brock in the third quarter, limiting the Badgers to just one shot on goal.
In the fourth quarter, with Guelph ahead 8-4, the Gryphons knew that a strong Brock squad could come back at any moment. The Badgers had renewed energy when their starting goaltender returned to the pipes. Four minutes in, they brought the game to within three. But that's as close as they would get. Guelph scored three quick goals before Brock's starter was pulled again.
Down by 11-4, Brock started to pressure Guelph but was unable to force turnovers. Guelph was relentless, pounding in two more before the Badgers scored two late ones to make the game somewhat respectable.
Guelph will see action again this weekend, when they head to Laurier on Sunday. Game time is 3pm.
