The Windsor Lancer women's soccer team fell short in a hard-fought weekend series against the Guelph Gryphons on Friday (1-2) and Sunday (1-2) this weekend.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED FRIDAY
On Friday, the blue and gold hit the road to Guelph for an evening performance. The Lancers brought great intensity in the first half of the match. Aislynn Essibrah led the charge of offensive pressure with a series of thunderous strikes, keeping the Gryphons on their toes. In the 20th minute, Kailyn Roberston was up to her goal-scoring ways, putting the Lancers out front and chalking up her 8th goal of the season.
 
The Gryphons made their presence known early in the second half, scoring an equalizer in the 48th minute of play. The following 40 minutes saw fans on the edge of their seats as teams battled back and forth in pursuit of a tie-breaking tally. Aislynn Essibrah had notable offensives chances but did not manage to squeak one past Guelph's goalkeeper. With no time to spare, the Gryphons scored and took hold of three points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED SUNDAY
On Sunday, the Lancers returned to Alumni Field for an afternoon showing. Teams were evenly matched in the first half of action. Emma Beaulieu set the tone early by challenging Guelph goalkeeper, Sabrina Spano. Kailyn Roberston was also seen knocking on the Gryphon's doorstep in search of a late goal. Despite Lancer efforts, the first half left two goose eggs on the scoreboard.
 
The Lancers came out swinging in the second frame, where Avery Comartin hammered in a beautiful cross-crease pass from Kailyn Roberston to put the Lancers in the lead. From here it was a familiar scene against Guelph, where the Gryphons fought back to tie it up in the 55th minute. Brooke MacLeod and Elizabeth Elliot had strong offensive efforts to invade the Gryphons' nest, but the women would ultimately come up short on the scoreboard. Although Jordan Samping stood tall in net, denying solid chances for the Gryphons, the visitors managed to find the back of the net once more in the final minutes of the match.
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers now have a scheduled break before a weekend series against the Waterloo Warriors. The blue and gold will host the Warriors at Alumni Field on Friday, October 13th at 6:00 p.m. and then hit the road for an afternoon match on Sunday, October 15th at 1:00 p.m.
Tickets for all home games can be purchased at goLancers.ca/tickets or at the gate. Live coverage can also be viewed on OUA.tv.