GUELPH, Ont. – For the past couple weeks, the Guelph Gryphons women's soccer team has piled up points in an efficient manner – lots of clean sheets and the goal they needed in three consecutive 1-0 victories. But the No.9-ranked Gryphons got a chance to expand the offence Saturday afternoon on their home pitch, defeating the visiting Algoma Thunderbirds 7-0.
Third-year striker
Victoria Hinchliffe scored two goals in the first half, while third-year midfielder
Danielle Sauve also had a brace. Second-year forward
Sydney Johnson had a goal and two assists, with rookie midfielder
H.J. Lochhead notching the first goal of her OUA career midway through the second half.
Kaylin Twardowski would complete the Gryphon scoring with a goal in the 87th minute.
The hosts seized control of the match immediately after the opening whistle. Sauve put Guelph on the board just 49 seconds in when she tapped in a lovely pass into the six-yard box from Johnson. Hinchliffe would get her first of the game in the 13
th minute on a similar play, though this time it was a cross from Johnson, which the Guelph native headed in. She would add another later in the half to give the Gryphons a 3-0 lead. Hinchliffe now has six goals in seven matches this season. Two have been game-winners, while another was the equalizer in a 1-1 draw at York.
Guelph had 19 shots (11 on target), with Algoma registering none. The Gryphons have won four straight (all clean sheets) and remain unbeaten on the year, sitting atop the OUA West with 17 points.
Turning point
It's strange that a defining moment can come so early but Sauve's eventual match-winning goal in the opening minute impacted both teams. The Gryphons got a boost knowing there were goals to be had and the Thunderbirds had to know they were in for a long day.
Gryphon Take
"We went into this match knowing that we had to work together and be patient waiting for our chances to come. Fortunately, one came early. We've been working so hard. Everyone is stepping up and we have been able to jell so well."
– Danielle Sauve
The Record
Guelph is 5-0-2.
Next up
Algoma, Saturday, Sept. 16, Noon @ the Gryphon Soccer Complex
