The York University Lions track and field team had a sensational weekend at the McGill Team Challenge in Montreal, with the men’s team finishing in first place in the team standings and the women finishing second.
The Lions men’s team ended the two-day meet with 123 points, just edging the defending Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) champion, the University of Guelph Gryphons, who put up 117.5 points. In the women’s competition, the Lions finished with 83 points, 47 behind the champion Gryphons.
Overall, the Lions had several spectacular performances, including 13 podium finishes, 12 CIS automatic qualifying standards and two records. More details on the York Lions website.
Men’s volleyball Lions win marathon four-setter against Queen’s
The York University Lions men’s volleyball team pulled out a 3-1 victory over the Queen’s University Gaels on home court at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Sunday evening.
The match was a long affair, with all four sets being closely contested. The tone was set early when 64 points were played in the opening set before the Lions finally prevailed 33-31. Queen’s had five set points, including three before the Lions finally got one of their own, and the Lions finally converted their fourth to lead 1-0. More details.
The victory was part of a weekend sweep of the Kingston-area teams, as the Lions also defeated the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins in straight sets on Saturday. York set the pace from the initial serve and controlled play for much of the match, winning 25-19, 25-12, 25-19. More details.
Santini’s hat trick leads men’s hockey Lions over Gryphons
Michael Santini scored a hat trick and added an assist to lead the York University Lions men’s hockey team to a 5-2 victory over the visiting University of Guelph Gryphons at Canlan Ice Sports on Saturday night.
Santini scored his second of the game for the winner 11:58 into the third period to break a 2-2 tie, giving the Lions their third straight victory and improving their record to 12-9-1 on the season. After reaching the five-goal mark just once all season prior to this weekend, the Lions did so in both of their contests this week, preceding Saturday’s win with a 5-2 victory over the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks on Thursday. More details.
In the win over the Hawks, Troy Barss netted a pair of goals, including the opening marker mid-way through the first period and also the final score of the game in the third as part of a three-point night. Also putting up three points was team captain Jesse Messier, who scored the fourth goal and added a pair of assists. More details.
Bond scores winner to lift women’s hockey Lions over Lakers
The York University Lions women’s hockey team clawed their way towards victory Sunday, stopping the Nipissing University Lakers while in North Bay, Ont., by a score of 3-2.
Team captain Rebecca Bond scored the winner just 40 seconds into the third period to break a 2-2 deadlock. More details.
The previous afternoon, the Lions were handed a 2-1 defeat by the Laurentian University Voyageurs in Sudbury, Ont. York goaltender Megan Lee was challenged early and often on the day, as Laurentian outshot the Lions 12-6 in the first frame. She would respond valiantly for the first half of the period, turning away each shot with ease. More details.
Women’s volleyball Lions down Paladins for third straight win
The York University Lions women’s volleyball team secured a convincing straight-sets victory over the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins Saturday on home court at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
York would have the game in control throughout its entirety, winning the first and second sets, 25-15 and 25-13, respectively. The Paladins made the match interesting in the third set by pushing the Lions to the limit, but the host Lions won the crucial points at the end to take the set 27-25 and win their 12th contest of the year. More details.
However, the winning streak came to an end the next afternoon at the hands of the Queen’s University Gaels, who won in four sets. After the Lions took the first set 25-21, the two squads played a pair of very tight sets, both that went past the 25-point mark. Queen’s evened the match at one set apiece by taking the second 26-24, and then won a thriller 30-28 to lead 2-1 overall. After that it was all the Gaels, as they took the fourth 25-14 for the win. More details.
Top-ranked Ravens take down men’s basketball Lions
The York University Lions men’s basketball team couldn’t match pace with a strong Carleton University Ravens squad Saturday, dropping a 102-66 decision while on the road in Ottawa.
The loss moves the team to 8-8 on the season and the Lions remain fifth in the OUA East standings. The No. 1 nationally ranked Ravens, meanwhile, kept their undefeated streak intact and are now 16-0 on the year. More details.
The Lions also faced the No. 2 University of Ottawa Gee-Gees the previous night, falling by a score of 117-88. Ryan Ejim was stellar in the loss, putting up a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds, as well as two steals, one assist and one block. Daniel Tulloch was also strong with 20 points, four rebounds and one steal. More details.
Win streak ends as women’s basketball Lions fall to No. 10 Gee-Gees
The York University Lions women’s basketball team dropped a tough contest Friday, surrendering a 69-47 defeat to the No. 10 nationally ranked University of Ottawa Gee-Gees at Montpetit Hall in Ottawa.
The loss ended a four-game winning streak by the Lions. York looked solid to begin the game, moving the ball well and matching Ottawa’s pace early. And though they were down by four after the first, the Lions seemed in good shape heading into the second quarter. More details.
In their other game in Ottawa, the Carleton University Ravens used a strong quarter to propel them to a 62-50 victory over the Lions. The Ravens outscored the Lions 23-10 in the frame, the only quarter in which there was any separation between the two teams. More details.
Dulai wins gold at Ontario junior wrestling championships
York University Lions wrestler Pavan Dulai won the gold medal in the 84kg division at the Ontario junior championships on Saturday in Kingston, Ont.
Dulai reached the top of the podium one year after winning the silver medal at the event in the same weight class. He was one of five Lions competing at the provincial junior championships.
Also winning a medal at the provincial meet was Sarah Perez, who won the bronze in the 44kg class. More details.