Sports recap: Stathopulos nets hat trick in women’s hockey OT win over Voyageurs

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Lisa Stathopulos led the York University Lions women’s hockey team to victory over the Laurentian University Voyageurs in overtime after coming from two goals behind on Sunday. Stathopulos bagged her third goal in the third minute of the overtime to complete her hat trick.

After a scoreless first period, the Voyageurs drew first blood through a power play in the 12th minute. The Voyageurs doubled their lead in the third period at 10:08 through Samantha Morell.

At 12:12, Stathopulos received a play from Jessa McAuliffe and pulled one for the Lions. More details on York Lions website.

Earlier in the weekend, the Lions were defeated by a score of 4-3 by the Nipissing University Lakers in a shootout in North Bay.

Rianna Langford opened up the scoring in the third with a goal at 1:11, dominating the Lakers 3-0. Hope was looking slim for the Lakers until seconds later, Brittany Crago put a goal past Lions goaltender Megan Lee at 1:33. More details.

Men’s hockey Lions hang on for win over Paladins

The York University Lions men’s hockey team dominated the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins 7-4 on Friday night at Canlan Ice Sports.

Although the Lions scored a season-high seven goals, the Paladins threatened their lead in the third period with a trio of unanswered tallies to cut a 6-1 York advantage to 6-4, which was as close as they would get as the Lions held on for the win.

There were five goals in the third, three of them from the Paladins. The Lions opened up the scoring in the final frame with a goal at 9:02 from Reid Jackman to make the score 6-1. At 10:08 on the power play, Christopher Smerek got ahold of the puck and tipped it to the net past Chris Perugini. More details.

The next night, the Lions won by a score of 4-3 in a shootout to the No. 8 Carleton University Ravens after coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period. With the start of the third, Tyler Mort took a powerful long-distance shot at 2:14 off of a power play, closing the gap to a one goal difference.

Only a few minutes later Michael Santini buried the puck in the back of the net at 18:41, sending the fans screaming and tying the game at 3-3 by the end of regulation. More details.

Men’s basketball Lions get first win with takedown of Warriors

The York University Lions men’s basketball team earned its first win of the season on Wednesday with 67-60 victory over the University of Waterloo Warriors in the Tait Mackenzie Centre.

York’s Richard Iheadindu opened the scoring early in the first quarter. In the last five minutes of the first, Iheadindu smacked the ball away from a Warrior attempt, sprinted across the court and connected a three-pointer, raising the crowd to their feet in applause. The Lions were able to clutch their lead 18-11 by the end of the first. More details.

Two days later, the Lions came close to recording a dramatic comeback in the final quarter, but the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks’ defence kept the home team at bay for a 77-68 win.

The Lions were explosive in the first few minutes as Iheadindu opened the game with a three-pointer. Laurier’s James Agyeman used his agility to score on the team’s breakaways. It was a tight game until the Golden Hawks were awarded three consecutive free-throws to take the lead at the end of the quarter at 21-18. More details.

Comeback win by the men’s volleyball Lions in four sets over Varsity Blues

The York University Lions men’s volleyball team came back from a set deficit to three consecutive set wins against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Sunday at Tait McKenzie Centre.

Despite losing the first set to the Blues by a score of 20-25, the Lions then had three set wins at 25-17, 25-22 and 26-24.

The visitors gave the home team a scare after scoring the first four points of the game. Attempted spikes by the Lions were repeatedly blocked by the opposition. A time out by the Lions revived the team after a tactical change. More details.

One day previous, the Lions were narrowly defeated by the Ryerson University Rams in a thrilling five-set contest. Both teams provided a tight competition for each other. The Rams recorded two wins in the first two sets at 25-20 and 26-24. Refusing to back down, the Lions won the next two sets at 25-20 and 25-22. The last set ended with the Rams winning 16-14. More details.

No. 5 Varsity Blues take down women’s volleyball Lions

The York University Lions women’s volleyball team lost to the No. 5 University of Toronto Varsity Blues in four sets on Sunday at Tait McKenzie Centre.

The Blues grabbed the first set win after an intense deadlock was broken at 32-30. The Lions managed to win the second set with a score of 25-18. The Blues emerged victorious after the final two sets ended with the team scoring 25-19 on both, continuing their winning streak with a seventh consecutive win. More details.

On Saturday, the Lions were defeated by the Ryerson University Rams in four sets. The Rams won the first two sets with a score of 25-21 and 25-22. The Lions grabbed a win in the third set by a score of 25-22, however, the Rams were able to seal their victory on the fourth set with a ten-point gap at 25-15. More details.

Women’s basketball Lions defeated by Warriors in home opener

The York University Lions women’s basketball team fell to the University of Waterloo Warriors 53-37 in their home opener on Wednesday evening at the Tait McKenzie Centre.

The Warriors took an early lead in the first quarter but a final jump shot from Courtney Osborne in the final 50 seconds gave the Lions a 12-10 lead. The quarter was highlighted by three-point baskets from Emma Thompson and Haley Bowie.

The second quarter began slowly with the starting points at 6:23 from Waterloo’s Marti Killeen. The Warriors clutched their lead and ended the second quarter with a score of 26-20. More details.

Also last week, against the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks, the Lions were defeated by a score of 88-44. Despite a number of attempts by the Lions to turn the tide around, the first quarter ended with the home team trailing 24-11. More details.