Guelph dealt first loss of the season in home opener
The home opener did not go as planned for Guelph’s men’s lacrosse team. The visiting Brock Badgers broke the game open with a 5-1 first quarter and never looked back en route to a 16-6 smackdown. The Gryphons drop to 2-1 with the loss, while Brock remains undefeated through three games.
Guelph failed to maintain any consistent offensive pressure in the second quarter, thanks in part to a long penalty kill. Brock controlled the tempo, passing the ball effectively and tiring out the Gryphons, running up the score to 9-2 at half.
Guelph tried to crank up to intensity in the third, winning the opening faceoff, and getting a few chances. However, they failed to capitalize and Brock made it 10-2 just two minutes into the quarter. After another long possession by Brock ended in a big save, Guelph came back and quickly added one to pull to 10-3. Another long stretch of time playing short-handed would end Guelph’s offense for the quarter, and Brock led 13-4 at the intermission.
In the fourth, Guelph scored in the opening minute and Brock took a “too-many-men” penalty. Guelph managed a few good shots, but the Badger goalie held tough. Brock settled back into their cycle, and Guelph had a hard time getting the ball back. After the 15th goal, Guelph made a goaltenders change with the game well out of reach.
The story of the game was possession. Guelph had a hard time getting the ball and an even harder time keeping it, with 17 turnovers to Brock’s nine in the first half. The Badgers, on the other hand, passed the ball around with ease, waiting patiently for Guelph’s defence to make a mistake. Guelph played a more frantic, physical game whereas Brock looked skilled and smooth, content to cycle to ball around and wait for Guelph to make a mistake. While it would be a stretch to say they scored at will, there was no point in the game where they did not have the Gryphons firmly under their thumbs.
The Badgers were not often tested defensively, but when they were, they were very good at taking away the time Guelph had to make decisions. Despite what the score might indicate, the Guelph goaltender made a number of excellent saves, and the score would have been more lopsided without him. The Gryphons will try to redeem themselves as they continue their three game homestand against Laurier and McMaster.