Third match-up features Chute hat trick paired with 5-1 win
The weekend of Oct. 4 featured three contests for the Gryphons varsity field hockey team. A 2-1 win against McGill started the Gryphons off on the right foot, followed by a Sunday morning 3-2 loss against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Oct. 5. In the third and final match, the Gryphons defeated Queens by a score of 5-1 in an exciting game. Guelph has secured second place overall in the OUA standings, and the game against Queens brought their season standing to 8-2.
Though the weather proved cold, a good number of spectators showed up to Varsity Field on the afternoon of Oct. 5 to cheer the Gryphons on as they went head-to-head against the Queens Gaels. The game’s first point went to Queens, a forward managing to get past Guelph’s goaltender on a short corner. The Gryphons, not discouraged, came back aggressively to get a goal of their own, only two minutes later by forward Alison Chute – the first of three for Chute in the game.
The game continued with many thrilling moments. Guelph’s second goal, scored by Erin Houle, came soon after Chute’s and put the home team in the lead. Great stick handling by forward Crysta Stubbs and passing between defensive player Melissa Vogl and midfielder Nicole Paola prevented Queens from getting through to score another goal. Although the first half saw a lot of short corners by Queens, Guelph’s strong defence and maintenance to the sides of the field kept the game in their favour into the second half.
With Guelph still in the lead, the pace of the game picked up as Queens became more offensive. Compared to the first, however, the second half saw more short corners in Guelph’s favour, helping to slow down Queens and give Guelph more opportunities against the visiting defence.
The match did see a back and forth struggle up and down the field. Defence players Jessica Donaldson and Laura Straus noticeably helped the team when the Gaels came close to scoring, bringing the ball back up the side of the field. Moving the ball with quick passes up to the forwards, it was Chute who scored the next goal in the second half with a lift into the net, bringing the game to 3-1.
The Gryphons continued to steadily challenge the Gaels throughout the rest of the game, cutting off passes and moving the ball horizontally across the fields and down the wings with the help of midfielder Danica Davies. This method proved fruitful, as Chute scored her third goal at the 61 minute mark of the game, earning her an impressive hat trick. Two minutes later, Gryphon Melissa Vogl scored the last point of the game, bringing the end score to an impressive 5-1.
With the season winding down, the next game for the Gryphons will be against the Waterloo Warriors in Toronto on Oct. 19.