GUELPH, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphons women's soccer team is committed to avoiding any letdown after winning the program's first OUA championship last season. Their first match of the 2018 campaign showed that the fire is certainly there. Katya Tarasoff and Victoria Hinchliffe each scored in a decisive 2-0 win over the Windsor Lancers Friday night at the Gryphon Soccer Complex.
 
Guelph was aware of the Lancers ability to strike and did a good job controlling the play early. Tarasoff, a second-year central midfielder, would put the hosts up early on a stunning set piece in the 21^st minute. The Gryphons were awarded a free kick just a few yards outside the area and Tarasoff made her chance count, thumping a powerful strike into the top left corner of the Windsor net.
 
Hinchliffe, a hero in last season's OUA championship run, added a spot kick after Danielle Sauve was tackled in the box. The Guelph native hit a hard strike inside the left post that Windsor keeper Kristina Brooks had no chance of stopping.
 
The Gryphons did hit a bit of adversity immediately after doubling the lead when veteran AC Lang picked up a second yellow and was sent off. It didn't seem to matter as Guelph stayed organized for the final 30 minutes and refused to give up any clear chances on goaltender Libby Brenneman, who earned a fairly easy clean sheet.
 

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Turning point
Tarasoff's free kick was an incredible piece of individual play but Windsor was in definite trouble after Sauve was brought down in the box. Hinchliffe started last season in a scoring drought so the successful penalty in the first match of the year bodes well for the talented striker.

 
Gryphon Take
"The big thing with Windsor is that they're always good on the counter attack. We always were aware of that counter attack possibility and we wanted to manage the game right from the opening whistle. Our game is about managing and waiting for our opportunities, trying to be patient. Kat finishing that great of a free kick was just an excellent way to start. From there, it settled us and we started to really control the game at times.
 
"I said to the girls, it's a real test of character (referring to the red card) because it can become difficult to manage. They score one quick, it's a 2-1 game and it puts a lot of stress on the players. We have a real calm, collected group and their experience showed in that moment. That's what I'm most impressed about. -- head coach Shayne Campbell.
 
The Record
Guelph is 1-0-0.
 
Next up
Western, Sunday, Aug. 26, 1 pm @ Gryphon Soccer Complex