The Gryphon women's lacrosse team opened their 2013 season campaign at home with a pair of wins against the Laurier Golden Hawks and Queen's Gaels on Saturday at the Gryphon Soccer Complex. 
  In the first game of the day Saturday morning, the Gryphons opened with a sound 14-3 victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks. The Gryphons jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead with goals from rookie Katelyn Ayers and senior Jade Sullivan. By the end of the first half the Gryphons lead had extended to 8-1, with Ayers scoring four, Danielle Boudreau, Julie Bryan, Alyssa Nevills and Jade Sullivan each scoring singles. The second half opened with Ayers scoring her fifth and final goal of the game, but seeing the scoring spread throughout the team with Katelyn Cartwright, Dana Skyvington, Hannah Smith, Alyssa Nevills, and Katelyn Brzezinski each scoring singles. The gryphons defense was solid allowing the Hawks only three goals throughout the game.
 
In the Gryphons second game of the day the team went 2-0 on the day defeating the Queens Gaels 12-5. The gryphons were in tough against a solid Gaels defense and struggled to put the ball in the net during the first half. Alyssa Nevills stepped up to the challenge and scored a hat trick in the first half and singles were added by Katelyn Ayers and Jade Sullivan. The second half saw the Gryphons penetrate the Gaels defense and score nine goals led by senior and captain Dana Skyvington with five. Adding singles in the second half were Katelyn Ayers, rookie Laura Gutauskas, Jade Sullivan and Victoria Flood. Again the Gryphons defense was outstanding and allowing only one goal in the second half and five goals all game.
 
"it was a good opening to the season, it's always great when you can open in front of a home crowd. We had two traditionally strong opponents to begin the season, so seeing a strong response is encouraging for the season ahead. We see the things we want to work on, and look forward to growing as a strong team unit in the weeks ahead."
 
The Gryphons play Brock and McGill on Sunday back at the Gryphon Soccer Complex.