Offensive first half paves way for slim Gryphons victory over Warriors

The black and gold were hosting the Guelph Gryphons at Warrior Field on Wednesday afternoon and it was a game where halves where both halves saw vastly different outcomes. The first half saw seven goals scored whereas the second half saw rare shots on target. Guelph won the game 4-3 but Waterloo showed great poise with two goals from Melanie Mitchell (Glen Morris) and one from Marina Drygala (Waterloo).

The Gryphons didn't waste any time getting at goalkeeper Lesia Bandura (Kitchener) who was tested often in this contest and had 6 saves in the match. Guelph's Andrea Cimino opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute when the Warriors back four were caught standing still.

The Warriors' Mitchell wouldn't waste any time scoring the equalizer in the 9^th minute as she sent a booming shot into the top corner from the 18-yard box which knotted the game at 1-1.

The offence would continue to be fast and furious when Gryphons Breanna Hall scored in the 21^st minute to regain the lead for her squad. Jacqueline Goulart would add some insurance for her team scoring just 7 minutes later to put Guelph ahead 3-1.

Waterloo's Mitchell, who had a great game both attacking and defending, took matters into her own hands and scored off a free kick from the 22-yard line in the 31^st minute to cut the lead to one. Waterloo would tie the game in the 44^th minute off a header by Drygala who also had a superb game.

Both teams looked to go into the break tied at 3-3 but Guelph's Bianca Ferlisi ensured that did not happen; scoring in extra time of the first half before the whistle was blown. The goal-scoring onslaught ended at 4-3 going into half time.

The second half was much different in its entirety with both squads struggling to keep possession at both ends of the pitch. Warriors' captain Kiersten Colbran (Sarnia) had the best chance of the half as she merely missed a header off a Waterloo corner kick.

Bandura made an excellent save in the 72^nd minute to keep her team within distance, but her team could not muster up any additional offence. The game ended 4-3 for the Guelph Gryphons in what was an incredibly entertaining contest.

Source: Waterloo Warriors