Weekend wrap: Women’s soccer Lions win fourth straight, move into fifth in standings

Stephanie Lamanna of the York University Lions women’s soccer team (image: Anton Mak)

The York University Lions women’s soccer team has the longest current winning streak in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) at four matches after Sunday’s 2-0 victory over the Algoma University Thunderbirds at Alumni Field.

The run has vaulted the Lions into fifth place in the OUA West Division standings with a 5-6-4 record for 19 points. They sit three clear of the University of Windsor Lancers with one game remaining.

Stephanie Lamanna of the York University Lions women’s soccer team (image: Anton Mak)

The Lions fired 14 shots at the Thunderbirds in the first half alone but it took until the 38th minute for them to take the lead. More details on the York Lions website.

One day earlier the Lions earned a 3-0 triumph over the Thunderbirds. Christina Morelli kicked off the scoring for the Lions with a goal in the 14th minute of play, assisted by Stephanie Lamanna. The remainder of the first half remained quiet, though many attempts were made by both teams to score some goals. More details. 

Men’s soccer Lions clinch OUA West with dominant win over Thunderbirds

The No. 5 nationally ranked York University Lions men’s soccer team secured its 11th straight OUA West Division title with a dominant 8-0 victory over the Algoma University Thunderbirds at Alumni Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions are unbeaten in their last 12 contests and have a 12-2-1 record on the season for 37 points. Regardless of what happens in the final week of the regular season the Lions have clinched the top seed as they hold the tiebreaker over both the McMaster University Marauders and University of Guelph Gryphons.

Sunday’s game was never in doubt as the Lions finished with 34 shots compared to just four for the Thunderbirds. More details.

On Saturday the Lions also had a lopsided win, defeating the Thunderbirds 6-0 thanks to a hat trick by Milan Beader. After a few attempts to locate an opening in the Thunderbirds’ defensive line, Beader was able to find an opening and scored the first goal for the Lions. Cristian Cavallini found his 12th goal of the season in the 19th minute of play. More details.

Men’s hockey Lions erase two-goal deficit in shootout win over Badgers

The York University Lions men’s hockey team won its second straight game to start the 2017-18 season on Saturday and came back from a two-goal deficit with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Brock University Badgers.

The Lions trailed 1-0 after the first period, 2-1 after the second and fell behind by two goals 38 seconds into the third period on Sammy Banga’s tally. But the Lions came roaring back two minutes later when Derek Sheppard scored his first of the season to cut the deficit to one again. Less than five minutes after that, Trevor Petersen scored his second power play goal of the season to tie the game. More details.

On Friday night, the Lions opened the season with a 3-2 win over the University of Windsor Lancers on home ice. In a rematch of last year’s conference final, which the Lions won in three games, they were again the better team but had to work for it down the stretch after a dominant first period.

Just over 10 minutes into the first period the Lions already led 3-0 after goals by Kegan Blasby, Petersen and Reid Jackman. Jackman’s goal chased Windsor starting goaltender Blake Richard after he allowed three goals on 11 shots, and Jonathan Reinhart came into the game in relief. More details.

Big fourth quarter not enough in football Lions’ loss to Gaels

The offence for the York University Lions football team came alive in the fourth quarter but it was not enough to catch the Queen’s University Gaels in a 52-34 loss at Richardson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Third-year receiver Colton Hunchak caught three touchdown passes in the final frame, all from back-up quarterback Matt Krason, as the Lions outscored the Gaels 21-0 in the last 15 minutes of play. But before that, multiple defensive breakdowns and a strong Queen’s offence led the way to the Gaels’ third straight victory.

The Lions got on the board first with a pair of singles from rookie kicker Dante Mastrogiuseppe, but Queen’s took the lead at 9:14 of the opening quarter and added to it as the game went on. They were up 19-2 after the first quarter and 40-13 at the half. More details.

Women’s rugby Lions fall to No. 2 Gryphons in first ever OUA semifinal

The York University Lions women’s rugby team played in its first ever OUA semifinal match Saturday at the University of Guelph Gryphons Varsity Field and were defeated 55-0 by the defending champion and No. 2 nationally ranked squad.

This was a monumental occasion for the program, overseen by head coach Jenn Russell, as they have never made it to this point in OUA playoffs before but they were taken down by a talented opponent.

The loss ended the Lions’ winning streak at two after beating both the Western University Mustangs and the Brock Badgers. The Lions knew today’s match-up was going to be tough as the Gryphons are undefeated on the season and finished first in the Shiels Division. More details.

Women’s hockey Lions bow to Rams in season opener

The York University Lions women’s hockey team suffered a tough 7-2 loss in their season-opening game Sunday to the visiting Ryerson University Rams at Canlan Ice Sports.

The Rams’ defender Melanie Camacho scored the first goal of the game. Teammates Keelin Farren and Kryshanda Green had the assists on that goal. The Rams continued the scoring with another on a power play by second-year Lauren Nicholson, assisted by Madison Lalonde. The score was 2-0 for the Rams at the end of the first period. More details.