The Gryphons junior girls of Gravenhurst High School were in tough on the road against the high-powered offensive onslaught of the St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School Dragons.

After a home-opener loss to the Huntsville High School Hoyas, the Gryphons were facing a double threat of strikers, Jess Bryant and Lily Gamble, who combined for five goals (two for Bryant and three for Gamble), in their win against Parry Sound High School.

The Gryphons had a difficult task to contain the two players. They kept Gamble off the score sheet, but could only limit Bryant.

True to form, striker Bryant quickly got the Dragons on the scoreboard.

A mere minutes into the game, she took a loose ball in the midfield and evaded two defenders. She struck a shot from inside the box and got away a low shot to score inside the far post, making it 1-0.

This first goal was all the home team needed, as it became the eventual game winner.

Only a few sequences of plays later Bryant repeated a similar move, except finished on the short side low, 2-0.

The Gryphons settled into a defensive posture with a few breaks down the middle and the wings, but these sporadic offensive threats were offset as the home team reclaimed possession and came with a flurry of offence at the end of the half.

The visiting team withstood the pressure to finish the half down by two goals.

The second half started well for the Gryphons, who continued to challenge for loose balls.

Halfway through the first half, Gryphon striker Emily Berrevoets picked up a loose ball and ran the half of the field, but was met by Dragons keeper Gabe Lefrancois. The ensuing collision separated both from the ball and left the Gryphons scoreless.

On the following play, Gryphon Alex Johnston got a chance down the sideline with a spirited run, but could not beat her defender.

The Dragons turned down-field, taking the momentum with them, started by midfielder Margo Reville, who passed the ball up to Bryant.

Gryphons keeper Sarah Cousineau denied her with an aggressive dive on the ball before Bryant could get a shot off.

Bryant wasn’t done though, as she resorted to setting up her teammates, creating several chances.

A cross by Bryant was broken up when Gryphons fullback Kaityln Wretham, who came out of nowhere, cleared the pass out of the box before a Dragons player could get a shot off.

A short clearing attempt by the Gryphons from the box fell fortuitously to the foot of Dragons midfielder Margo Reville. Her kick on a short hop sent a high arcing ball over Cousineau for the third goal.

Fullback Hannah Whiting of Gravenhurst showed the Gryphons weren’t giving up easily. Bryant made a run at the net, but was met with a strong challenge from Whiting who bodied her off the ball, preventing a goal.

It wasn’t enough though, as a determined Bryant added another goal on the next play, bringing the score to 4-0.

Dragons Steph Mataya and Reville rounded out the scoring in the game, making it 6-0.

Despite a strong effort that prevented the score from getting into the double-digits, the Gryphons lost their second in a row. They are winless through two.

The Dragons are 2-0 on the season.

Both teams play this week on Thursday afternoon. The Gryphons will hit the road to play Almaguin Highlands Secondary School and the Dragons will play at Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School. All junior games start at 2 p.m.