Guelph, Ont. – The Gryphon men's soccer team fell just short in their OUA playoff match versus Laurier on Wednesday night, losing 3-2 in extra time in an exhilarating, back and forth game at the Gryphon Soccer Complex.

The Gryphons would open the scoring in the 24th minute thanks to a brilliant individual effort from second year right back Stephen Veenema (Ottawa, Ont.).  Veenema was able to dribble through several Laurier defenders before sending a beautiful shot into the back of the net to give the Gryphons a 1-0 lead.  That lead however was short-lived as the Golden Hawks would equalize in the 31st minute after Donald Chmura (Waterloo, Ont.) was able to convert from the penalty spot.

The score would remain tied at 1-1 until late in the match, where there was no shortage of drama for the fans in attendance.  In the 89th minute, the Gryphons would take the lead thanks to none other than third year striker Jared Agyemang (Brampton, Ont.).  The OUA's leading scorer would head home his 17th goal of the campaign to put the Gryphons up 2-1. But the Golden Hawks would once again answer back.  In the 90th minute, off a corner, Blake Whiteley (Toronto, Ont.) would bring Laurier even and send things to extra time tied at 2-2.

The Golden Hawks would keep that momentum going in extra time as Tyrrel Wilson (Hamilton, Ont.) would be sent in alone in the 98th minute and would give Laurier a 3-2 lead which they would not relinquish.  For the Gryphons, it was a heartbreaking end to a hard-fought, entertaining match.  This marks the second consecutive season the Gryphons have lost to Laurier in the OUA quarter-finals. Last year, Laurier won 4-3 in penalty kicks in the West quarter-finals at the Gryphon Soccer Complex.  With the win, the Golden Hawks advance to the OUA quarterfinals where they will travel to Toronto to take on number one team in the country, the York Lions.