GUELPH, Ont. – After a 10-day layoff between games, it was perhaps no surprise that the Gryphons women's hockey team showed some occasional signs of rust early in their Wednesday night home matchup versus the Ryerson Rams. Despite scoring the game's opening goal, the Gryphons would go on to concede the next three to the visiting Rams, who would take a 3-1 lead into the final period. The Gryphons found their footing late, but would run out of time in search of the tying goal en route to suffereing a 3-2 loss to the OUA-leading Rams, winners of five straight. Claire Merrick and Miranda Lantz accounted for the Gryphon goals while fifth-year goalie Valerie Lamenta impressed on the night, turning away 24 of the 27 shots sent her way in the loss.
 
Playing in their first game since a November 11 matchup versus Nipissing, the Gryphons jumped out to a 1-0 lead midway through the opening period when Claire Merrick jumped on a rebound and roofed her 1st of the season. The lead would last just under a minute, however, as Ryerson would tie the game at 1-1 on a goal from Mariah Hinds. The visitors would then take a 2-1 lead to the 2nd period after Erika Crouse was able to take advantage of a Gryphon turnover and fire a shot into the top corner to put the Rams in front.
 
The Rams' would find a third goal during a power play opportunity in the 2nd period when Lauren Nicholson's shot rang off the cross bar and in. Ryerson outshot Guelph 15-3 in the 2nd period, with Lamenta making several big saves throughout to keep her team in it.
 
The Gryphons would flip the script with a strong final period, outshooting Ryerson 16-2. With just under three minutes remaining, the Gryphons would be rewarded for their pressure with a goal from assistant captain Miranda Lantz, who would shovel home a rebound for her 5th of the season. It would be as close as the Gryphons could come in the end, with Ryerson goalie Fanny Vigeant making 22 saves in the win. With the victory, the Rams move atop the crowded OUA standings, four points clear of fifth-place Guelph.
 
Gryphon Take
"We lost focus in the 2nd period and that ended up costing us the game." – head coach Rachel Flanagan
 
The Record
Guelph is 6-2-0-1 (wins-losses-OT wins-OT losses)

Next up
@ Toronto, Saturday, Nov. 24, 7pm