Windsor, Ont. – The Gryphon women's soccer team opened up the OUA playoffs Wednesday (Oct. 22) night in Windsor versus the Lancers with a shootout win. 

It was a re-match of their regular season finale in which the Gryphons were able to head into the playoffs on a high note, winning 3-1 over the Lancers just three days ago at the Gryphon Soccer Complex.  This time around, goals were harder to come by.

After a scoreless 90 minutes, the Lancers were able to finally breakthrough in the 102nd  minute when Giulia Barile (Tecumseh, Ont.) was able to score on a free kick.  After being held scoreless for nearly 120 minutes, the Gryphons would manage to find the equalizer with around 60 seconds remaining.  In the 119th minute, third year striker Breanna Hall (Kanata, Ont.) would tie things up at 1-1 and send the match off to penalty kicks.

The Gryphons would find themselves trailing after failing to convert on the first attempt of the penalty shootout.  After that however, the Gryphons were clinical from the spot. Five consecutive converted penalties would help the Gryphons put the pressure right back on the Lancers, who were unable to extend things in the sixth round thanks to a big save from Elizabeth Brenneman (Baden, Ont.).  Any soccer coach would tell you that a penalty shootout is a harsh way to settle things, but in this case it almost seemed appropriate.  Both teams had nearly identical regular season records, both teams were evenly matched for all 120 minutes, and the shootout was predictably evenly matched as well.  In the end, it was the Gryphons who would come out on top. 

Gryphons penalty shooters: 
Sydney Holden – miss
Kaitlin Mulholland – MADE
Kristina Strojin – MADE
Courtney Whiteside – MADE
Breanna Hall – MADE
Danielle Canhoto – MADE
Gryphon goalie – Elizabeth Brenneman Shootout Summary:
GUELPH # Sydney Holden – No Goal
LANCERS # 4 – Goal
GUELPH # 16 Kaitlin Mulholland – Goal
LANCERS # 2 – Goal
GUELPH # 17 Kristina Strojin – Goal
LANCERS # 6 – No Goal
GUELPH # 11 Courtney Whiteside – Goal
LANCERS # 13 – Goal
GUELPH # 6  Breanna Hall – Goal
LANCERS # 17 – Goal
GUELPH #20 Danielle Canhoto – Goal
LANCERS #9 – No Goal

Up next for the Gryphons, an OUA quarterfinal matchup with the Western Mustangs in London on Sunday, October 26th at 1pm.