GUELPH, ON - The Gryphons men's lacrosse team improved to 4-1 on the season Sunday afternoon with a 13-6 home win over McMaster.
 
Guelph scored early and often in the first quarter, tallying four times before McMaster took advantage on the power play. The second quarter mimicked the first; the Gryphons scoring four more unanswered goals. McMaster however, was unable to solve Guelph's defense and the Gryphons took an 8-1 lead into half time.
 
A good part of Guelph's success in the first half was on the shoulders of Guelph's draw man Josh Manangan. Manangan went 7/10 on face offs in the first two quarters of the game.
 
The Gryphons had a tentative start to the second half and struggled to find the net on offense. Three minutes into the third the Gryphons got caught on a change and found themselves on the short end of a fast break. Longstick defensemen Nate McKenzie made a strong slide but in the process of knocking down the pass, the ball deflected into Guelph's net. Two minutes later while pressuring McMaster as they tried to clear the ball out of their own end, Gryphon Brent Ulbikas made a decisive wrap check to cause a loose ball. One referee however, thought the check was illegal and awarded passion to the Marauders. The ref immediately blew the play back in and amid the confusion of the call, Guelph was caught once again on the short side of a 4 on 3 break which McMaster converted on. 
 
Guelph has several chances, including two power play opportunities in the quarter, to reestablish control of the game. The Gryphons were unable to convert however and then at the 7:43 mark, McMaster scored its third unanswered goal to get within 4 of the home team.
 
Less than a minute into the final quarter longstick midfielder Liam Patten took a slashing penalty and then an altercation between a McMaster midfielder and Josh Manangan resulted in the two players each being assessed 3 minute penalties. McMaster ended up with a 5 v 4 power play that they quickly took advantage of, scoring their 4^th goal in a row; cutting Guelph's lead to 8-5.  
 
With time still left in the McMaster power play and Manangan still serving his penalty, the Gryphons were faced with a tough challenge on the next face off. Guelph's second draw man Kevin Orleman was away at the National Lacrosse League combine in Oakville so Ben Heidecker was called upon to step in. Heidecker was able to make the ensuing draw messy which virtually took enough time to kill the remainder of the McMaster advantage.
 
The two teams played 5 on 5 for another two minutes until the remaining penalties expired. When the Gryphons finally got their next possession and were at full strength, McMaster tried to shut off Brett Ulbikas, denying him the ball. As the Gryphons worked the ball around, Ulbikas was able to get free near the midline and the Gryphons fed him the ball.  With speed, he dodged to his left past the McMaster defender and ripped a shot inside the far right post. After a 24 minute scoring drought, Guelph finally got back on to the scoreboard. On the very next possession and less than a minute later, Ulbikas would do the same thing and put the Gryphons up 10-5. McMaster was able to respond only once more while Guelph added 3 more to finish with 13-6 win.
 
"We had a bit of a let down in the third, but the guys didn't panic. Our defence did a great job and the offense got themselves back on track," said Gryphons head coach Sam Kosakowski following the game.
 
The Gryphon defence didn't miss a beat despite the absence of starting longpole Justin Martin. Martin was also away at the NLL Combine, but veteran Brett Scullion stepped in and had a solid game on close defense. Rookie longpole Robert Stockden was called upon to cover for Nate McKenzie in the 3^rd quarter and looked strong in the role. 
 
Eight Gryphons contributed to the scoring. Rookie attackman James Short had 4 goals and an assist and Mike Cavanagh had 2 goals and 3 assists to lead all scorers.  Ulbikas recorded 4 goals while Liam Corbett, Alec Simons and Brendan Vogan had one each. Blaze McCullough and added an assist.
 
The Gryphons will have a full week to prepare for their next start next Sunday, October 2.  They will travel to Sudbury to take on the 3-3 Laurentian Voyageurs.