Gryphons golden dream shattered at soccer nationals

The golden dream of the Guelph Gryphons at the U Sports men's soccer championship tournament at Alumni Stadium was shattered by the UQAM Citadins of Montreal Saturday.
Quebec conference champion UQAM scored twice in the first eight minutes of the game, but needed a goal with about 10 minutes to go in the game to post a 3-2 win.
"We showed a lot of character, but it was a disappointing start," Guelph coach Keith Mason said.
The result puts UQAM into Sunday's gold-medal match against the Canada West champion Alberta Golden Bears and the Ontario champion Gryphs into the bronze-medal match against the Atlantic champion Cape Breton Capers.
"This team's phenomenal and we've been phenomenal all year," Mason said. "The spirit on the team is second to none. We're going to be good for years to come. Right now this feels like a huge sledgehammer to the head, but it will be a good learning experience for them and next time they're at nationals, and this group will get back again, they'll learn from this moment and how they feel now. They'll have to carry that to the next nationals."
Kevin Le nours scored on a free kick for UQAM two and a half minutes into the game. It was awarded when Guelph goalkeeper picked up the ball in a scramble just outside the box and it was ruled that the ball was passed back to him.
"It's disappointing the free kick is given in such an area," Mason said. "I'm not sure it was a deliberate back pass which is what the rule says. But it is our guy and the goalie came and claimed it. It's a big call to make in the first minute and then you're chasing the game."
Simon-Pierre Coté-Ko extended UQAM's lead five and a half minutes after the free kick goal.
The Gryphs started their comeback two and a half minutes after that on a goal by Tomasz Skublak. Josh Seguin pulled the Gryphs even in the 38th minute.
Coté-Ko's second goal of the game proved to be the winner as he hit for the lone goal of the second half.
"We got caught up in the occasion a bit," Mason said. "It was a little bit scrappy, but they're young and they were nervous. It didn't have the same flow as we have had, but at the same time I can't fault their efforts. They've been fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.
Earlier Saturday, Alberta edged Cape Breton 2-1 in the first semifinal while UBC slipped by the defending champion York Lions 2-1 in the consolation final.
Sunday's gold-medal match is to go at 2 p.m. while the bronze-medal game is to start at 11 a.m.
"We'll have to collect ourselves and get ready for tomorrow because we still have a CIS medal on the line," Mason said.