TORONTO – The road has been good to the Guelph Gryphons women's soccer team in the early days of the 2017 OUA season. The Gryphons, playing their third away match in six days, got the result they were looking for with a big 1-0 win over the York Lions at Alumni Field in Toronto. Third-year forward Hayley Howes provided Guelph all the offence it would need, scoring a goal in the 69^th minute to keep her side undefeated in a gutty performance.

After drawing 0-0 with Windsor on the opening night of the season, the Gryphons (2-0-1) have won two straight matches by the same 1-0 score line.

"The team performed well and defended much stronger than our last match," said Guelph's first-year coach Shayne Campbell, referring to the team's 1-0 win over Western Sunday. "We really limited their chances tonight.

"The team has played with a lot of spirit and enthusiasm. We've been really committed on both sides of the ball."

Howes, a Windsor, ON native, showed great skill to notch her first goal of the season. Guelph sent a free kick into the York box, which was partially cleared by the Lions. The Gryphons managed to bump it back into the area, where Howes took a touch and pivoted, unloading a big strike just under the crossbar of Taylor Grant's net.

Veteran goalkeeper Libby Brenneman made five saves to preserve her third clean sheet in as many matches. The Baden, ON native came up huge minutes after the start of the second half when she dove to her right and got a toe on a York shot destined for the back of the net. And with the Lions pushing to tie late, Brenneman stretched to tip a hard shot over her own crossbar.

Overall, the Gryphons have been efficient on the road, securing seven of nine possible points. Guelph is the only OUA West team not to concede a goal as of Thursday night.

"We're all pleased with the effort but we're mindful that it's a long season," said Campbell. "It's important to work and continue to grow as a team.

"We are not the finished article."

The Gryphons aren't done on the road just yet. They will go to Waterloo Saturday, Sept. 2, to play the Laurier Golden Hawks. Match time is 1 pm.