TORONTO – The Guelph Gryphons field hockey team will have at a shot at another OUA title. The determined Gryphons played were almost flawless defeating the three-time defending conference champion Toronto Varsity Blues 2-0 in an OUA semi-final on a cold Saturday afternoon at York University's Alumni Field.

Guelph will take on the top-seeded host York Lions Sunday, Oct. 29 at 3 pm.
 
"We're extremely excited," said head coach Michelle Turley, thrilled with how her team played in the biggest game of the season to date. "Emotions are always high against Toronto but we were so calm and collected. There was just no way we were going to lose today."
 
Third-year forward Olivia Finch and second-year forward Alexa Corrado scored first-half goals for the Gryphons, and the No. 2 seed in the tournament closed the door from there, with fifth-year Morgan Kelley making five saves to earn the shutout. OUA Co-MVP Rebecca Plouffe, a fourth-year defender, was awarded Player of the Game honours for an outstanding performance.
 
There is history between the two rivals. They have combined to win the last 13 OUA championships. Guelph won titles in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013, with the Varsity Blues taking nine since 2004, including the last three. They met twice in the regular season, on Sept. 17 in Guelph, and Oct. 22 in Toronto, both games ending in 1-1 ties.
 
But the Gryphons showed the greater ambition in the elimination format and immediately dictated the play. Guelph opened the scoring at 6:15 of the first half after a string of passes involving, Plouffe, MacKenzie Janzen, and ultimately Rudi Ballard, who found Finch for a tap-in over the goal line.
 
Corrado added the 2^nd at 16:12 when she used her strength to push the ball in from right in front of the net.
 
Guelph remained disciplined with the lead and had its share of possession but were relentless defensively when needed, often winning the ball back and breaking up Toronto attacks.
 
"We played outstanding hockey today," said Turley. "We went full out right from the push back – and never looked back."
 
The Varsity Blues pressed to try and find a breakthrough and with 16 minutes left in the second half, they were awarded three consecutive penalty corners in a key sequence. But Toronto failed to convert each, with Guelph's defence breaking up the first, Kelley saving the second attempt before kicking it out of play, and the third shot going wide.
 
"We were very calm in our defensive zone," Turley said of her players, including a standout performance from rookie Sophia Jantzi.
 
"Everyone stepped up their game today. And Morgan came up big."
 
Guelph continued to defend well and with 6:37 left, Kelley came up with a huge save. A Toronto attacker got loose in front of the net but the veteran goalie was poised, charging out to shut down the chance and blocking the high shot with her upper body.
 
The Varsity Blues got another penalty corner late but the shot went wide. And in the dying minutes, it was the Gryphons who went on the attack and essentially ran the clock down for a well-deserved spot in the final on Sunday.

Guelph's only loss of the season came to the Lions, a 3-1 defeat on Sept. 24 in Kingston. But the Gryphons avenged that result with a big, disciplined 1-0 home win over York on Oct. 11, the top seed's only loss of the year.

"It's exciting for us to be in the final," said Turley. "It will be a good matchup."