MONTREAL, Que. - Heading into the 2019 Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship, the Guelph Gryphons knew the competition was going to be tough. Having drawn the host Concordia Stingers for their quarter-final match-up Wednesday evening they were not only getting a tough team, but one looking to represent their home field as well. Unfortunately for the Gryphons, the Stingers were just a bit too much on Wednesday as Guelph fell 10-7 to Concordia.

Ranked as the Championship's 5th-seed, with the Stingers ranked as the 4th-seed, the two teams played to a match nearly as even as their respective standings would suggest on paper. With very little to separate the two sides throughout the 60-minute contest it was ultimately a 45th minute penalty kick that would prove to be the difference.

In the early stages of the match, it was the Stingers quickly taking advantage of the energy stemming from playing on their own field. In the 4th minute, Concordia got on the board first with an early try. After the conversion was knocked through they had established themselves a 7-0 lead.

For the remainder of the first-half both teams continued to fight for field position while trying to limit any potential costly errors, but with neither team able to break through the score held at 7-0 heading into the break.

With the second-half underway the Gryphons were able to make an early push. Driving the ball into Concordia territory, the Stingers were called for a foul allowing the Gryphons an opportunity at a penalty kick. Trying to dial in a long kick from 43-yards out, Aria Keshoofy had the line, but came up just short in the brisk Montreal conditions.

In the 45th minute the Stingers were awarded an attempt at a penalty kick. From roughly 10-yards closer than Keshoofy's attempt, Concordia was able to knock it through and go up 10-0.

Despite being down by two possessions, that didn't hinder the Gryphon's spirits. The team continued to battle even with the clock not being on their side, and were able to make a major break through in the final six minutes. Playing in the 54th minute Max Goodwin got across the Concordia goal-line, while Keshoofy drilled the convert to pull Guelph within three.

With time winding down, the Gryphons got their hands on the ball again and managed to get themselves across the Stinger's 22-meter line, but in the end there wasn't enough time left to complete the comeback.

"The boys left it all out there tonight," said Gryphon's head coach Cory Hector. "Unfortunately, the late push was not enough to overcome some early errors."

"The guys are very disappointed but will have to regroup quickly and get ready to play with less than a 24-hour turnaround."

Keshoofy was named the Man of the Match for Guelph.

The Gryphons will be right back at it Thursday afternoon. Taking on the Brock Badgers in a consolation semi-final, the Gryphons and Badgers will hit the pitch at 2:30pm.