GUELPH, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphons women's soccer team has experienced ecstasy. On a cold Sunday afternoon at the Gryphon Soccer Complex, the defending OUA champions would find themselves on the other side. The Gryphons' season came to an end in dramatic fashion as McMaster striker Stephanie Roberts scored in the 93rd minute to send the Marauders to the OUA Final Four next week with a 2-1 victory.

Guelph got the equalizer it had been looking for when substitute Julie Karn came on and made an immediate impact. The fourth-year midfielder got her foot on a ball ion the area and tucked it in behind McMaster keeper Juliana Hiwati for a massive goal in the 79th minute.

With extra time looming, the Gryphons continued to press but it was McMaster that was awarded a freekick from about 25 yards out near the death. A high ball went in and Roberts, who led U SPORTS with 14 goals in the regular season, got her head on it to send the Marauders to the OUA semi-finals with a shocking last-second victory.
It was a heartbreaking moment for a team that had put up an incredible title defence. The Gryphons won a program-record 12 games, with their only loss coming to the Marauders in Hamilton on Sept. 30. Guelph had allowed just three goals all season before conceding twice in the elimination match.

Despite a bright start from the hosts, McMaster was able to breakthrough first. The Marauders absorbed pressure early but then attacked down the right flank, with a good, low cross sent into the area that goalkeeper Libby Brenneman appeared to get a touch on. The ball skipped into a wide-open space and Amy Froome jumped on it, smashing the ball high into the back of the net in the 10th minute for a surprising 1-0 lead.

The Gryphons relied on their incredible work ethic to try and get back in the match, stringing together passes through the midfield. But McMaster was disciplined in defence and limited the host's opportunities. Guelph finally registered a shot on target in the second half and the attack seemed to improve from then on.

Third-year striker Victoria Hinchliffe, who finished the year with 12 goals, had a great chance midway through the second half when she was sprung in the box but Hiwati desperately charged out and closed the space to eliminate the danger.

McMaster had a glorious opportunity in the 71st minute beginning with an attack down the left side, though Brenneman showed tremendous effort to dive and intercept a low cross that was destined for a McMaster forward. Karn would play the role of hero with her memorable equalizer but the joy was short-lived for the reigning OUA champions.

For fifth-year seniors Brenneman and Andrea Cimino, it was the final time they would wear the Guelph shirt.

 
Gryphon Take
"The girls played incredible. They bossed the game and we were on top of it for much of the day. McMaster defended very well today. They sat in and did a good job. We had a lot of possession but we had a really hard time breaking into that final third. Give them full credit for that. We did everything that we could today. It wasn't our game in the end."
 
"You're not playing tomorrow so that's a hard thing for all of us to accept. But in time, we will look at this as an opportunity to learn from and grow. The program has moved forward in a lot of ways and I'm really proud of them. These are the hard pills to swallow. The good thing is that we've come to a place where we want more and we push ourselves for more. That's where the real disappointment lies." – head coach Shayne Campbell

 
The Record
Guelph is 12-1-3 regular season, 0-1 playoffs.