GUELPH, Ont.- It took time and patience Wednesday night at the Gryphon Soccer Complex, but the perseverance of the Guelph Gryphons paid off to the tune of a pair of second half goals and a 2-0 victory over the visiting Western Mustangs.

Trying to find a way to breakthrough during most of the match, the Gryphons continued to press before finding the back of the net in the 76^th and 83^rd minutes to secure three points.

"It was a good game," said Gryphon's Head Coach Keith Mason. "Western played well and held on for a long time, but usually if you are on top with all of the pressure, eventually you are going to get one, and once we got one they had to open up a bit more which led to us getting another chance."

Having to crack a stiff Western defence, the Gryphons were able to move the ball around the Mustang's box consistently, however, the visitors did a good job of clearing the ball before too much danger was present. That said, the Gryphons still created plenty of first half chances with none being better than in the 23^rd minute. With the ball just feet away from the Western goal, Alex Zis got two kicks away for Guelph, however both wound up hitting bodies in front and deflected away.

As the whistle blew for halftime, the Gryphons felt they had momentum on their side and were looking to continue their strong play in the second 45-minutes.

Although it took longer than they would have liked, the Gryphons did get their breakthrough in the 76^th minute when a crosser through the box came down for Evan Dick who was able to fire it past the Western keeper from close range. As soon as the ball hit the twine, you could feel the excitement from the Gryphons, which then further built up even more confidence.

With Western trying to push for an equalizer, Guelph was able to catch them in transition and work the ball down towards the Mustang's end. Building up pressure in the 83^rd minute, the Gryphs earned a free kick just outside of the Western box following a Mustang's foul. Having already scored in his Gryphon's debut on Sunday, Guelph product Gray Yates tallied his second goal of the season when he struck the free kick, placing it perfectly into the top left corner of the Western net.

"For Gray personally, it just verifies that he belongs," Mason said. "That is two games in a row now that he has come through big for us."

Now with a 2-0-1 record, the Gryphons will look for their third win of the 2021 season on Sunday when they head to London to take on the same Mustangs team.