GUELPH, Ont. – For the first time in 16 years, the Gryphons women's soccer team is heading to the OUA Final Four. Sunday afternoon at the Gryphon Soccer Complex, the Gryphons earned a decisive 5-0 win over the Laurier Golden Hawks in an OUA Quarter-final matchup. Victoria Hinchliffe and Venessa Mazur each scored twice with Hayley Howes capping the scoring in what was the Gryphons' highest-scoring performance of the season. The Gryphons now sit two wins away from claiming what would be the first OUA title in program history. The Gryphs will play on Saturday (November 4) in Oshawa against the defending OUA champion UOIT Ridgebacks, who will serve as hosts of the 2017 OUA Final Four.
 
"It's a big moment for our program," said Gryphons first year head coach Shayne Campbell. "I'm incredibly fortunate to have inherited such a great team and can't say enough about the job Randy Ragan

did building the foundation of this program. The girls on this team have a lot of character and all of the players and staff are committed. It's fun to be a part of."

Prior to Sunday's win, the Gryphons had been eliminated at the OUA Quarter-final stage in five consecutive seasons. Now, the team will play in a conference semi-final game for the first time since the 2000-2001 season.
 
After finishing 2nd in the OUA West standings during the regular season, the Gryphons earned a bye through the first round of playoffs. Despite the layoff, the Gryphs showed no signs of rust in their post-season opener, with second year forward Victoria Hinchliffe opening the scoring just seven minutes into the match. Hinchliffe, a Guelph native and the reigning OUA West Division Rookie of the Year, showed great composure, chipping the ball past Laurier keeper Ashley Almeida to get the Gryphons off and running.
 
"It just shows you the complete player she's becoming," said Campbell when asked about Hinchliffe. "She had an outstanding year last year and you're seeing a player now who is understanding that it's about more than just goal scoring.

It's about bringing the team into the game and holding the ball up. I'm really impressed with Victoria's growth over the last 4 weeks as a player. I can't tell you how hard that young lady works on her game."
 
U of G rookie forward Vanessa Mazur (Mississauga, ON) would score a pair of goals just six minutes apart early in the 2nd half, with the second goal being set up by Hinchliffe, as the Gryphons suddenly found themselves in the driver's seat up 3-0 on the Golden Hawks.
 
The Gryphons would add two more goals in the 88' and 90' minutes with Hinchliffe scoring off a set piece followed by third year forward Hayley Howes finishing off a rebound opportunity.
 
Gryphons' fourth year keeper Libby Brenneman recorded the shutout, making six saves along the way, including an important tip over the crossbar at the 30' minute mark of the first half.
 
The Gryphons will now begin preparation for their OUA Semi-final matchup with UOIT. The Ridgebacks booked a spot in the semi's with a 2-0 win over Laurentian. After winning the OUA title a season ago, UOIT has impressed in 2017, finishing first in the OUA East Division with an undefeated 14-0-2 record. Match time for Friday has yet to be confirmed. The game will stream live online at oua.tv.