Banner Season: Gryphons, Warriors upset their way to championship berth

Toronto (via Toronto Varsity Blues) – The Guelph Gryphons and Waterloo Warriors were each victorious on Day 1 of the OUA Field Hockey Final Four on Saturday, October 26 at Back Campus Fields.

The Gryphons defeated the York Lions 2-1 in a shootout in the first semifinal, while the Warriors topped the host University of Toronto Varsity Blues 1-0 in the second semifinal to punch their ticket to the championship final on Sunday, October 27 at 2:30 p.m.

The Lions and Blues will fight for bronze on Sunday at 12 p.m.

Semifinal 1: Guelph 2, York 1 (Shootout) (Box Score)

In a highly competitive back-and-forth contest, the Gryphons prevailed 2-1 over the Lions in the opening semifinal game of the weekend.

York opened the scoring just five minutes into the game when Tessa Wang picked up the rebound from a teammate’s initial shot on goal and found the back of the net.

Wang’s goal stood as the lone marker for almost two-thirds of the game, with York continuing to lead until the 42nd minute. Guelph capitalized on a rush into York’s zone, and Sophie Pomeroy finished off a pretty passing play, scoring with ease after the Gryphons infiltrated the Lions’ defense.

Both teams traded chances as the clock wound down, including multiple penalty corners for Guelph in the dying minutes but both goaltenders, Jade Lew for the Lions and Macy Peters for the Gryphons, stood tall to force a shootout.

After 60 minutes of play could not determine a winner, the Gryphons came out on top in a four-round shootout, scoring three goals to York’s one to clinch a berth in the OUA Championship final. Elly Peters, Delaney Jacklin, and Harper Griffin were successful on their attempts for Guelph, with Kathryn Carlow being the lone Lion to beat Peters.

Semifinal 2: Waterloo 1, Toronto 0 (Box Score)

The second semifinal of the day saw the second upset of the day, with the Warriors taking down the first-place Blues 1-0 in a thrilling matchup.

The first half saw both teams get multiple scoring opportunities, but goalkeepers Deepi Gill for Toronto and Marielle Fernback for Waterloo stood tall and kept both teams in the game in a scoreless first 30 minutes.

The Warriors struck first early in the third quarter when Sarah Schnarr beat Gill off of a penalty corner, with Sierra Blackburn drawing the assist. Schnarr’s tally gave Waterloo an imposing lead with just under 30 minutes to play.

Toronto stepped up their play for the remainder of the game and put themselves in position to tie things up, including five penalty corners in the fourth quarter, but were unable to get past the Warriors defense or Fernback, who made six saves on the afternoon.

Saturday, October 26

Semifinal 1: Guelph 2, York 1 (Shootout)

Semifinal 2: Waterloo 1, Toronto 0

Sunday, October 27

Bronze Medal Game: York vs Toronto – 12 p.m.

Gold Medal Game: Guelph vs Waterloo – 2:30 p.m.