GUELPH – One of the first things that comes to mind when describing the Guelph Gryphons women's rugby program is a traditionally prolific offence. Guelph can score, often at will. But the No. 3-ranked Gryphons have come to understand that their defending can be just as influential in the outcome of a match. And it was that stingy defensive approach that perfectly complemented the explosive offence as Guelph routed the Western Mustangs 65-0 on a hot Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field.

Kylie Shaughnessy, an 8^th man, fly half Julia Schell, and prop Katherine Karthaus had two tries each to lead the way for the Gryphons, who were comfortably up 45-0 at the half.

Guelph (3-0) was too fast and physical for the Mustangs, scoring three tries in an eight-minute span early in the first half to run away with the match. And the defence held up, denying Western the opportunity to create any momentum.

"We've been focusing a lot on defence," said coach Colette McAuley, pleased with the complete effort from her players. "We love to have the ball in our hands and we're creative. I always encourage that with our athletes because I want them to play pretty rugby and have fun out there.

"But defence is a big part. I thought we were a bit sloppy in our first two games of the season. We diligently worked on it through our bye last week and it really played a part during this game. We didn't give them much possession."

McAuley said the message for her group was to focus on the opposing player each Gryphon was responsible for tackling and to deny overlaps. Guelph did that well and Western had no answer at either end of the pitch.

First-year forward Cassandra Tuffnail ran a try in just minutes into the game and Schell's convert made it 7-0. Shaughnessy scored her first try quickly after that and Schell, a dynamic player third-year player with national team experience, added the third a couple minutes later.

The Uxbridge, ON native accounted for 18 of Guelph's 65 points.

Shaughnessy then scored her second try of the first half, followed by another from fourth-year prop Andi Lakatos. The Gryphons didn't slow down despite subbing on some of their younger players. Karthaus, a second-year player, got in on the scoresheet twice, with third-year centre Alexandra Everett, fourth-year wing Emily Samek and first-year flanker Erika Barton also adding tries. Samek's try in the 69^th minute showed just how explosive Guelph was on the day as she took off down the right side of the field and blew past Western defenders to make it 60-0.

Despite graduating 15 players last year, many who were key pieces of the side, McAuley said the team is beginning to fine tune the areas where the group excels. Speed is among them.

"We have to go forward in different ways," said the coach. "We're slowly getting our groove on how we do that. We're finding the strengths of this team, which is being quick and having a good work rate. We're able to change the point of attack around the pitch as needed."

And the level remained high when veteran players were given a rest.

"The subs have to make their mark on the game, as well," McAuley said. "We had five rookies on in the second half and two second-year players who it's their first year playing. They did an excellent job.

"I'm really proud of how they played and proud of how are veterans kept the intensity up and the energy."

The Gryphons head to Hamilton next week to take on McMaster on Friday, Sept. 29. The match is at 7 pm.