Weekend wrap: Women’s soccer Lions end season undefeated with win over Thunderbirds

York Lions Logo

York Lions LogoThe No. 2 nationally ranked York University Lions women’s soccer team capped off its 2015 season with an 11-0 win over the Algoma University Thunderbirds on Sunday at York Stadium.

The Lions were coming off a 10-0 win over the Thurnderbirds the previous day, and the momentum carried over to Sunday as they scored five goals in the first half and another six in the second to round out the scoring. Colleen Beesley, playing in her final regular season home game, netted five goals, including each of the last four, while Nour Ghoneim scored a hat trick and finished as the  leading Ontario University Athletics (OUA) scorer with 18 goals in 16 games. More details on the York Lions website.

In Saturday’s victory over the same team it was the same two players dominating the scoresheet, with Ghoneim tallying four goals and Beesley three. Adding to the score line early in the game was Sydney Hoareau, who finished off a wide crossed ball from Charlene D’Mello in the second minute to start the game off strong. More details.

Men’s soccer Lions take down Algoma to clinch ninth straight OUA West title

The No. 3 nationally ranked York University Lions men’s soccer team defeated the Algoma University Thunderbirds on Sunday by a score of 8-0 at York Stadium.

With the victory, the Lions clinched first place in the OUA West standings for a remarkable ninth straight year.

Sunday afternoon was all about Michael Cox and Domenic Gullo, as both members of the Lions filled the stat sheet. The game began with both sides sharing equal possession in each other’s territory, but with little to no offensive push. It wasn’t until the 33rd minute when the deadlock was broken as Cox headed a world-class cross from Jarek Whiteman that gave the Lions the lead. More details.

One day earlier, the Lions posted a 6-0 victory over the same Thunderbirds and Cox was again dominant, scoring a natural hat trick to start the game and four goals overall. More details.

Men’s volleyball Lions upset No. 7 Mustangs in five-set thriller

The York University Lions men’s volleyball squad upset the No.7 Western University Mustangs by a score of 3-2 on Saturday in their second match of home opening weekend at the Tait McKenzie Centre.

The Lions started the match with a burst of energy which was produced by Tyler Covach, who smashed multiple spikes on the Mustang defence. However, the Lions began to fall behind and couldn’t harness that spark from the earlier stages of the set.

Andrew Shotbolt entered the game and made an immediate impact, beating the Mustangs on multiple spikes cutting into the Mustang lead in the first set, 23-17. But early mistakes by the Lions led to the first set being won by the Mustangs 25-18. More details.

One day earlier, the Lions opened the 2015-16 season with a four-set victory over the University of Windsor Lancers. In a rematch of last year’s bronze medal game, the Lions started the game off with much enthusiasm. Overall, York was better off of the rallies but the Lancers trailed closely behind to make it a tight game nonetheless. Both teams tallied five aces each but the Lions dominated in stats, outnumbering the Lancers in points, kills, blocks, assists and digs.  More details.

Men’s hockey Lions explode for seven goals in win over Lakers

The York University Lions men’s hockey team came away with a 7-1 victory on home ice against the Nipissing University Lakers on Saturday night at Canlan Ice Sports.

The Lions began the first period on the power play but couldn’t muster up any scoring chances, this in part to the Lakers penalty kill unit plugging up the passing lanes. After the power play concluded for the Lions, Lakers starting goaltender Kirk Rafuse turned away several potential scoring opportunities, keeping the game scoreless. This was until Reid Jackman wired a shot from the hash marks that beat Rafuse high glove side, giving the Lions a one-goal lead. The assist went to Derek Sheppard. More details.

On Friday night it was Trevor Petersen doing all the damage, as he scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over the Laurentian University Voyageurs.

Coming into the first period, possession slid back and forth between the two teams until the Lions opened the scoring early at 4:32. Stringing a few passes together, Mitch VanTeeling and Colton Vannucci were able to find Petersen by himself at the Voyageurs’ crease and he wasted no time in smashing the puck past the gloves of Laurentian goaltender Alain Valiquette. More details.

Women’s volleyball Lions open season with sweep of Thunderwolves

The York University Lions women’s volleyball team opened up its season with a straight-set win over the Lakehead University Thunderwolves on Saturday in Thunder Bay, Ont.

All three sets were won in convincing fashion by the Lions on Saturday, with York combining for 31 kills on the Thunderwolves. They won the first set 25-19, the second 25-18 and the third 25-18.

The kills were led by Heather Setka, who tallied 12, Cadence Currie with five and Sarah Williams pitched in with four. Setka finished as the team’s leading scorer with 13.5 points, adding a service ace and an assisted block to her total. More details.

Field hockey Lions finish third after 0-2-1 mark on final weekend

The York University Lions field hockey team faced off against three Ontario University Athletics (OUA) rivals over the weekend in Kingston, Ont., and came away with a 0-2-1 record.

The Lions finished their season with a record of 5-5-2, their best under head coach Zeeshan Minhas, and in third place in the OUA standings with 17 points.

On Sunday, the Lions played a doubleheader where they squared off against the McGill University Martlets in the morning and the University of Guelph Gryphons in the afternoon. In the first game against the Martlets, the two sides couldn’t manage to find the back of the net in regulation, resulting in the Lions second draw of the season. More details.

Women’s hockey Lions shut out by Warriors on the road

The York University Lions women’s hockey team was shut out by the University of Waterloo Warriors by a 3-0 score at the Columbia Ice Fields in Waterloo, Ont., on Sunday afternoon.

Coming off of a win from last week’s game against the Laurentian University Voyageurs, the Lions were hoping to start the game off on the front foot. However, early in the first period they were unlucky to give up the first goal of the game to Waterloo’s Michelle Tanel with assists from Lindsey McDonald and Tegan Odland.

The second period saw the Lions bouncing back with 10 shots off as opposed to Waterloo’s eight. The women charged forward in attack to try and level the score, but at 12:40 Waterloo’s Paula Lagamba was able to execute off of a pass from Kaitlyn McDonell that gave the Warriors’ a 2-0 lead. More details.