The Gryphon men's lacrosse team suffered a 7-6 loss to Western at home on Friday (Oct. 12) night. The upset marks the team's second loss of the season and it moves the Gryphons to an 8-2 record, as they now sit in second place in the CUFLA west division.
 
It was a tough night for Guelph's offense as it recorded 20 shots on net but with minimal results.  Eric Hubert (Mississauga, ON) had a goal and two assists to lead the Gryphon scoring.  Mike Burke (Caledon, ON) had two goals and Curtis Knight (Oshawa, ON) was credited with a goal and an assist.  Connor Deuchars (Toronto, ON) and Andrew Stoner (Orangeville, ON) each had a goal while Jordan Daradick (Welland, ON) and Garrett Williams (Oshawa, ON) each had an assist.
 
The game started out well enough for the Gryphons, when Mike Burke took a great cross-crease feed from Eric Hubert and buried it just under two minutes into the game.  The game slowed to a cat and mouse affair for the next 10 minutes until the Gryphons took their only penalty of the game and allowed Western to capitalize on the opportunity.  Western went on to score three unanswered goals; including one with nine seconds left in the quarter and led 3-1 at the end of the frame.
 
To start the second quarter, taking a feed from Garrett Williams it was Burke again, scoring early to get Guelph's offense back on track.  Two minutes later, Curtis Knight tied it up and shortly thereafter, Connor Deuchars let a rip go from 12 yards out to put the Gryphons up by a goal.  Andrew Stoner made a great individual effort of the following face off, fighting for and winning a loose ball, then dodging two Western defenders before firing a canon to the top corner to put Guelph up by two.
 
What seemed to be the momentum changer in the game however came in the dying seconds of the half.  Guelph had possession inside a minute and had a good scoring opportunity but was unable to convert.  With less than 30 seconds to go Western managed to get the ball into Guelph's end and called a time out with 16 seconds left.  Guelph's defense stymied the ensuing play but with 3.5 seconds left, Western called another time out.  In what seemed to be an odd move, Western defensive longstick Nikkolas Tillo took the ball to start the play.  When the play was restarted, Trillo made a quick dodge, switched hands and fired a hard, low shot past Jeremy Snider, bringing Western to within one goal.
 
The teams traded goals in the third quarter with Guelph scoring their only power play goal despite having 9 power play opportunities in the game.  Western's goal came against Guelph's power play, when they scored short-handed midway through the quarter.
 
In the final frame Guelph was held scoreless while Western added two more, including their second goal from a longstick defensemen. 

"We only took one penalty tonight which is fantastic," said coach Kosakowski following the game. "But we gave up too many transitions opportunities, had two longsticks score on us and didn't take advantage of our own chances."
 
While Guelph outshot Western 20-14, Western's goalie made some good saves to keep their team in the game.   The Gryphons also allowed two goals inside the last minute of play again tonight, an issue that seems to be plaguing the team.  They've given up six goals in the dying seconds of quarters this season. 
 
Guelph will have to week to prepare for their biggest rival, Brock, who comes to the Gryphon Soccer Complex on Saturday, October 20.  Game time is 2PM.