GUELPH, Ont. – Friday night at the Gryphon Soccer Complex, the Gryphons women's soccer team picked up a 1-0 win over the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. The lone goal of the match came in the 36th minute when fourth-year midfielder Sydney VanderHoef (Kitchener, ON) converted from the penalty spot for the first goal of her U of G career. Friday night's game was part of a "Gryphon Soccer Alumni Day" celebration, with both women's and men's soccer alumni in attendance Friday night to support the Gryphon varsity soccer programs.
 
VanderHoef's goal was made possible late in the first half after Violet Hipkin, a transfer student from Trent University currently in her first season as a Gryphon, was taken down inside the 18-yard box. VanderHoef made no mistake from the spot, and it would prove to be all the offence needed for the Gryphons. Fifth-year captain Laura Marelli helped lead the way in the Gryphon back four, while rookie goalkeeper Keira Doetzel (Airdrie, AB) picked up her third shutout of the season. Doetzel has started all four of the Gryphons games so far this season, with the rookie keeper tied for the U SPORTS lead with 3 clean sheets on the season.
 
With the win, the Gryphons improve to 3-1-0 (wins-losses-draws) on the season, and sit just 1-point back of Western and York for top spot in the nine-team OUA West Division. Laurier, meanwhile, fall to 2-3-0 on the season. The two teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon in Waterloo, with the Hawks set to host the Gryphons for a 1pm kickoff at University Stadium.
 

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