ST. CATHARINES – It would have been easy for the Guelph Gryphons men's soccer team to take a step back after a dream 2016 season that produced an OUA championship and a U SPORTS bronze medal. But the No. 6 Gryphons seem to be getting better each week, thanks in large part to the poise of the players. Guelph passed another test Friday night in St. Catharines, coming from behind to beat the Brock Badgers 2-1 at Alumni Field.

Youssef Zaghloul scored an equalizer before halftime and Conor O'Callaghan headed home the eventual winner in the second half to keep the Gryphons tied atop the competitive OUA West with a 9-2-1 record.

"They're a very confident bunch," said head coach Keith Mason, who recently celebrated his 100^th win in charge of the Gryphon program. "We again went down against a very good side but our guys have that determination and belief.

"We're very strong going forward, we can always score goals and as long as we keep our defence in order, the team believes they will be come back and score."

That ability to remain calm and steal points in the second half has been a Gryphon trademark this season. In St. Catharines, they had to do it again. The Badgers pressed the visitors early and would eventually take a 1-0 lead in the 18^th minute when Alexander Makubuya was able to get one in behind goalkeeper Simon Norgrove.

But the Gryphons didn't panic. Guelph survived an early onslaught and began to get better possession before Zaghloul, one of the team's most reliable and creative players all season, tied the game 1-1 from a quick counter attack in the 35^th minute. Zachary Rushe connected with Joshua Seguin, who sent a through ball to Zaghlouol. The third-year midfielder cut inside and hit a solid strike from just inside the 18-yard box, which took a deflection and wrong footed Brock goalkeeper Matthew Haggith.

"Brock were the better team in the first half," Mason said, noting the importance of a late goal to take the momentum. "They worked harder than we did, closed us down and didn't give us much time on the ball. It's a very small field and it played right into their hands."

O'Callaghan would get the winner in the 64^th minute when he drilled home a powerful header off an ideal corner kick from Zaghloul.

The work wasn't done though as the Badgers desperately tried to find an equalizer. The Gryphons missed a penalty in the 88^th minute that would have eased the pressure but they hung on through six added minutes of injury time for their ninth win of the season.

Norgrove was busy in the Guelph net, making five saves.

Mason has been impressed with how his players have grown into the season. The regulars have all come through at various times but substitutes have performed well, giving the team depth and confidence.

"Competition for places in the team is heating up," he said.

The Gryphons host McMaster on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Match time is 8:15 pm.