GUELPH, Ont. - Despite surrendering the opening goal of the match, the Guelph Gryphons used an offensive attack that left everyone forgetting how the contest began. Six different Gryphons found the back of the net as Guelph secured a 9-1 win over the Algoma Thunderbirds Saturday afternoon at the Gryphons Soccer Complex. Leading the way on offence for Guelph was 4th year forward Victoria Hinchliffe. After the Thunderbirds struck first on an 8th minute penalty kick, Hinchliffe would help swing the momentum back in Guelph's favour in a hurry. Hinchliffe put the Gryphons back on even ground with a 13th minute goal, before striking again just two minutes later putting Guelph up 2-1.
Having netted two quick markers, Hinchliffe still wasn't done there. In the 41st minute she completed the natural hat-trick with her third straight goal to give the Gryphons a bit of breathing room at the half. Once the second half got underway, Guelph was quick to make sure there would be no thoughts of an Algoma comeback. Only a couple of minutes into the second session, Kaylin Twardowski found the back of the net to extend the lead to three. In the 54th minute it was Sayan Ladhani's turn to get on the scoresheet, before Venessa Mazur scored back-to-back goals in the 58th and 64th minutes. Leading 7-1, Kate Knafelc extended the Gryphons lead in the 68th minute and then Olivia Lennon rounded out the scoring in the 83rd minute.
The Gryphons victory pulls them within three points of Western for top spot in the West with a 5-1-1 record. Guelph will go after their sixth victory of the season on Friday when they play host to Laurier at 6:00pm from the Gryphon Soccer Complex.
Quote from Gryphon's Head Coach Shayne Campbell:
"We put in a real, dominant attacking performance today. Algoma got a penalty kick early and were able to jump out to a 1-0 lead, but I thought our girls showed some great composure and discipline to work their way back into the game. Victoria Hinchliffe continued her strong start to the season and led by example with a natural hat trick that got us back on top in the game. The return of Jenna Holtz to our lineup after injury allowed us to control the midfield and several of our players were able to open their bank accounts today with their first goals of 2019, so it was a great effort all around."
