KINGSTON, Ont. - For the third time in four years the Western University Women's Lacrosse team captured gold with a 12-7 win over the Guelph Gryphons. The win closes out a second perfect season and a repeat win over a tenacious Guelph squad.
The game started slow with Western carrying much of the offence but failing to find the back of the net for the first 15 minutes. Guelph opened the scoring and although Western's Emmi Morris (1G, 1A) responded to tie the game Guelph got 3 quick goals to take a 4-1 lead. The two teams then traded goals with Western notching one more before the half and Guelph taking a 5-3 lead midway through the game.
The coaching staff regrouped the Mustangs and the team responded with an offensive outburst, scoring seven unanswered goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half. Leading the offensive onslaught were Michelle Farrugia(4G, 1A) Tawnie Johnson (3G). Tasha MacDonald (1G, 1A), Rebecca Watson (1G), Maddison Crowther (1G) and Kristen Stafford (1A) added to the score sheet as well.
Western goaltender Cait Mancuso and the Western defence of Lauren Crape,
Jesse Porter, Alexa McAllister and Kristen Stafford closed the door on
Guelph until the Gryphons finally got two shots past Cait Mancuso late in the second half. But with only 7 minutes remaining Western added two more tallies and kept possesion for the remainder of the game.
Western head coach Hastings commented that "we were able to stay calm and play our game. It's the first time we've been behind at the half and it showed the team's mental toughness and belief in what we do....nobody was in doubt.".
When asked about the difficulty of defending the OUA Championship Hastings added "it was a challenging year blending 10 talented freshmen with 14 veterans and getting the right chemistry. This weekend galvanized the girls in a special way and will keep them strong for the future. Congratulations to all the girls.”
With all the accomplishments this year the OUA also honoured Midfielder Tenyka Snider and Attackers Emmi Morris and Tawine Johnson with All-Star selections. Tenyka Snider also received top honours as OUA Offensive Player of the Year.
