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Football Lions host Lancers for Friday night Frosh Fest game

The York University Lions football team will be looking to bounce back from two losses to start the 2018 season when they host the Windsor Lancers on Friday, Sept. 7 for the annual Frosh Fest game.

Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. at Alumni Field and the game can also be seen online at OUA.tv.

The Lions have shown flashes of brilliance in their first two games, but have yet to put together a complete 60 minutes. They began their season with a home loss to the Queen’s Gaels in which they led for the majority of the first half before allowing a late touchdown that put them behind for the rest of the game. This past weekend, they battled hard against the nationally ranked Guelph Gryphons and led by one point at the half, but a strong second half by Guelph left the Lions with an 0-2 record heading into week three.

The Lions’ passing game has been one of the bright spots for the team so far this season, as quarterback Brett Hunchak has used all the weapons at his disposal. Through two games, Hunchak is ranked fourth in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) in passing yards per game (341.5) to go along with three touchdown passes. He’s spread out the offence between receivers Colton Hunchak (20 receptions, 152 yards, two touchdowns), Eric Kimmerly (nine receptions, 107 yards), Alex Daley (nine receptions, 97 yards), Luther Hakunavanhu (six receptions, 98 yards, one touchdown) and running back Kayden Johnson (six receptions, 101 yards) to give the Lions a versatile and potent passing attack.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions have shown improvements from last year and, despite some lapses, have held their own against two of the top teams in the OUA. Defensive back Jacob Janke leads the Lions with 12.5 tackles, followed by fellow defensive back Desi Dixon with 11. The Lions rank an impressive fourth in the OUA in passing yards allowed per game (241.5), but have struggled stopping the run, allowing 189 yards per game on the ground (ninth in OUA).

The Lions will face a Lancers team that is also looking to rebound from an 0-2 start. The Lancers opened their season on the road with a 53-37 loss to the Waterloo Warriors and fell in week two at home to the Carleton Ravens by a score of 38-20. Like the Lions, Windsor has yet to put together a complete 60 minutes of football, but played well in their week two matchup against Carleton and led 13-12 at halftime.

Windsor has been led by third-year quarterback Sam Girard, who has thrown for an OUA-leading 762 yards through two games to go along with seven touchdown passes. Girard, who started two games last season and threw for six touchdowns and zero interceptions, has shown he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the OUA so far in the young 2018 season. Receivers Kaeden Walls, Alex Bornais and Tristan Carter have proven to be dangerous deep threats that the Lions’ secondary will need to neutralize if they want to slow down the Lancers passing game.

The Lancers have struggled defensively, giving up the most points (91) in the OUA, and rank eighth in yards allowed per game (469) through the first two weeks of the season.

The Lions and Lancers have developed an even rivalry in the past two seasons, with the Lions winning by a score of 56-32 in 2016 and the Lancers returning the favour last season with a 43-27 victory in the last game of the 2017 season.

The week three matchup will also have some history on the line, as Lions wide receiver Colton Hunchak needs two receptions to break the Lions’ all-time record of 125 held by both Will Austin (2009-13) and Adam Adeboboye (2013-17). Quarterback Brett Hunchak broke two records of his own last week, becoming York’s career leader in completions and passing yards.

Following the week three matchup against the Lancers, the Lions will next play on Saturday, Sept. 15 when they travel to London, Ont., to take on the No. 1-ranked team in the country, the Western Mustangs. The Lancers, meanwhile, will return home to face the Guelph Gryphons in week four.

Friday night’s Frosh Fest game features free admission for all York students, Rock Your Red prize giveaways, the Best Seats in the House and Fan of the Game contests, as well as the opportunity to purchase the popular new York merchandise with the new Lions logo. The first 100 fans will also receive a free York Lions string bag.

Soccer Lions welcome Golden Hawks to Alumni Field for annual Frosh Frenzy games

It’s Frosh Frenzy week at York University and the men’s and women’s soccer teams will host the Laurier Golden Hawks in the annual game presented by Pizza Pizza on Thursday, Sept. 6, in front of thousands of frenzied York freshmen.

The game is always a highlight on the York athletics calendar, and more than 2,500 students pack the stands at Alumni Field each year for the Frosh Frenzy. Last year, the Lions hosted their rival McMaster Marauders and picked up a 5-2 win in the men’s game and a 2-2 tie in the women’s game.

This year, the women’s game will kick off first at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8:15 p.m. Both games can also be seen live online on OUA.tv.

The Lions women’s team will have payback on their minds when they take to the field against Laurier, after losing to Laurier in a close game last week when the Lions dropped a 2-1 game to the Golden Hawks. The game-winning goal came on a penalty kick in the 84th minute. York will be looking to snap a three-game losing skid to the Hawks, as they lost a pair of close games early in the 2017 season by scores of 2-0 and 1-0.

The victory was Laurier’s lone win so far this season and they head into the game with a 1-3-0 record. York, on the other hand, enters the game with a 1-2-1 record. York has been off to an impressive start offensively, currently tied for second in goals (7) in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West division after four games.

The men’s team will look to stay undefeated on the season and win their second game in a row against the Golden Hawks on Thursday night. York defeated Laurier in their last game by a score of 4-0 at University Stadium in Waterloo, Ont., last week. The Lions scored four goals in the first 26 minutes of the game and cruised to the clean sheet victory. The Lions’ last loss against the Golden Hawks came in the OUA championship game in 2008.

The Golden Hawks have struggled so far this season, with a 0-4-0 record, and come into the game looking to avenge last week’s loss. The perennially successful Lions are once again ranked as one of the best teams in the country and will enter the game in the No. 2 spot in the U SPORTS national rankings.

The festivities for the Frosh Frenzy games include free admission for York students, the unveiling of the 2017 OUA men’s championship banner, the YU Nation T-shirt toss, the Pizza Pizza Frosh Frenzy halftime contest and the Best Seats in the House contest.

Weekend wrap: Lions earn huge comeback win against Gryphons

Lions logo
York U Lions

The York University Lions men’s soccer team topped the University of Guelph Gryphons on Aug. 29 at Alumni Field after a massive comeback in the final minutes of the game.

The game was action-packed and aggressive from the moment it kicked off, which is expected from two of the strongest teams in U SPORTS. The tension was palpable from the stands and visible from the field. About a dozen fouls were called in the first half of the fast-paced game.

Guelph had many chances within the first 10 minutes to score against York with two corner kicks; however, the Gryphons were unable to complete their attempts. More details on the York Lions website.

Two nights later, the men’s soccer team won their second game of the week and third game in a row with a 4-0 win against the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks on Friday at Laurier’s University Stadium.

York dominated the first half as they took 12 shots in the opening half and scored all four goals in the first half of the game. More details.

Lions and Gryphons draw 1-1

The York University Lions women’s soccer team tied 1-1 with the University of Guelph Gryphons in game No. 3 of the 2018 season on Aug. 29 at Alumni Field.

Neither team scored in the first half of the game; Guelph controlled the play, but the Lions were able to defend well against their nine shots in the first half.

Several Lions stood out defensively and contributed to their strong defense in the first half. Midfielder Catherine Umolac managed to block many of Guelph’s shots, while Teni Odetoyinbo, the Lions’ strong and versatile defender, was also able to ensure Guelph’s attempts remained away from York’s net. More details.

On Aug. 31, the Lions played on the road against Wilfrid Laurier University and fell to the Golden Hawks by a score of 2-1.

The Lions opened up the game strong and brought the pressure early, within the first five minutes. They scored first thanks to a goal by Lions midfielder Christina Morelli.

The remaining of the first half of the game saw many scoring chances from both York and Laurier. The Lions attempted six more shots in the first half, which almost gave them a second goal, including one from midfielder Kalifornia Mitchell whose shot hit the crossbar. More details.

Lions drop Week 2 game to Gryphons on record-breaking day for Hunchak

The York University Lions football team led by one point at halftime, but couldn’t hold on as the University of Guelph Gryphons took over in the second half and topped the Lions by a final score of 33-18. Lions quarterback Brett Hunchak broke two school records during the game, becoming the career leader in completions and passing yards before the end of the first half.

The Lions struck first as kicker Dante Mastroguiseppe gave the Lions a 1-0 lead with a rouge on their first possession. Hunchak set the York school record for most career completions (422) during the Lions’ second possession, as he hit wide receiver Eric Kimmerly with the record-breaking 13-yard pass, which put the Lions into Guelph territory. More details.

Lions drop 2018 season opener to Marauders

The York University Lions women’s rugby team played host to the McMaster University Marauders on Aug. 31 at Alumni Field in their opening game of the 2018 season. The Lions hung tough against one of the top teams in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA), but came away with a 57-12 defeat the hands of the Marauders.

Scoring trys for the Lions was fourth-year player Michela Stratton, who put the first points on the board for the Lions in the first half. Team captain Megan Pakulis bowled her way into the try zone for a score in the second half. Natasha Naismith picked up the conversion on Stratton’s try. More details.

Talented players on 2018 women’s rugby team roster

The York Lions women’s rugby team will take to the field this season looking to make a run up the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) standings in head coach Jenn Russell’s third year leading the squad.

Last season the Lions came away with a 1-3 record in the OUA regular season playing out of the tough SHIELS Division in the first year of the OUA’s new division re-alignment. The Lions advanced to the playoffs by finishing in fourth place in their division and won their first playoff game over the Brock University Badgers by a score of 34-24 to advance the OUA semi-finals for the first time in program history. They closed out their season with a hard-fought loss to the McMaster University Marauders in the OUA bronze medal game by a score of 36-19.

While the Lions lost a few key veterans from last year’s team, they still return a lineup filled with talented upper year players with successful OUA resumés. Team Captain Megan Pakulis returns for her fourth year with the team fresh off a summer where she played for the Ontario senior women’s team and won a bronze medal at the Canadian championships. She is joined by Natasha Naismith, who suited up for a game against a competitive team from New Zealand this summer and has grown into one of the most important players on the roster.

Other senior players who will be counted on to lead the team on the field and in the locker room this season are Jasmine Hector, Michaela Stratton and Brooke Jensen.

Joining the veterans on the roster this season is a promising group of rookies who come to York with elite level experience. Leading the way is first-year player Asia Hogan, who will be an important piece in Russell’s lineup this season. Hogan, a communications studies major, was a member of the under-20 Canadian team as well as the under-20 Ontario team that won a silver medal at the national championships.

Some of the talented newcomers also have familiarity playing with each other, as rookies Bernice Ediagbonya and Esther Sivalingam played together with the under-18 Ontario team that toured Ireland this summer, and Faith Williams and Selena McCuaig competed together with the under-18 Ontario entry in the Eastern Championships. Alessandra Troiani also joins the Lions roster this season with experience playing on the under-18 Ontario team in 2017 and was teammates with Hogan on the Toronto Elite Reds club team.

The combination of experienced veterans and talented rookies gives the Lions a solid foundation and designs on making a splash this season in the SHIELS Division standings.

Weekend wrap: Offensive explosion leads Lions to big win

The York Lions new logo

The York University Lions men’s soccer team won their first game of the regular season against the University of Windsor Lancers with an impressive 5-0 win at Alumni Field on Sunday, Aug. 26.

The game was action packed from the beginning and the Lions wasted no time pressing the action against the Lancers. At the 13-minute mark York’s Steve Kloutsouniotis fired a shot on goal but Lancers’ goalie Shawn Hunter made a nice save to keep the score at 0-0.

Soon after Kloutsouniotis’s attempt, Lions midfielder Cristian Cavallini scored the first goal of the game on a penalty shot at the 21-minute mark.  This was the beginning of a strong game from the Lions, with Kloutsouniotis continued firing his shots throughout the first-half of the game, registering two more by the end of the first half. More details on the York Lions website.

Two nights earlier the Lions opened the regular season at home against the University of Mustangs on Friday night and came away with a 1-1 tie in a hard-fought game at Alumni Field.

The Lions opened the scoring in the 55th minute on a goal by forward Chris Jacovou in his first game in a Lions uniform. Jacovou, who spent last season at Saginaw Valley State University, scored from in close on a crossing pass to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. More details.

Lions score first win with 3-1 victory over Lancers

The York University women’s soccer team won their first game of the 2018 season against the University of Windsor Lancers with a massive 3-1 win at Alumni Field on Sunday.

After a slow start to the game, York Lions’ Christina Morelli provided some action for the spectators when she crossed the ball in front of Windsor’s net at the 23-minute mark but was deflected by a Windsor defender who kicked the ball wide.

Windsor used that momentum for their own gain at the 36-minute mark when Lancers forward Kaitlyn Austin scored the first goal of the game to put the Lancers ahead of the Lions 1-0. More details.

On Friday, the Lions suffered a 5-2 defeat at home to the Western University Mustangs in their first game of the 2018 season.

The game opened with both teams having chances in the first 20 minutes. Lions midfielder Farkhunda Muhtaj shot wide at the 14-minute mark, followed by a great scoring chance by Western where Lions starting goalie Tamara Orlando came out of the net to stop the Mustangs in close. More details.

Lions start strong but fall to Gaels in first game of 2018 season

The York Lions started the 2018 football season with a strong first half but were unable to pick up an opening day victory as they lost to the Queen’s University Gaels by a score of 42-21 on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Lions quarterback Brett Hunchak had a solid 2018 debut as he threw for 370 yards on the day along with two touchdowns and one interception. The Lions outpaced the Gaels in total offense netting 454 yards to Queen’s 439 yards and held the lead late in the first half. A late Queen’s touchdown gave them a 17-12 lead at the half, and a big fourth quarter that saw them score 22 points ended up being the difference. More details.

York U community gathers to celebrate new era of Lion pride

Members of the women's Lions field hockey team
Members of the women’s Lions field hockey team

Hundreds of York University students, staff and faculty made their way to York Lions Stadium on Aug. 22 for the celebration of “the next era of athletics and recreation at York.”

The event, #HeartOfALion Day, brought the campus community together for the official unveiling of the new Lions logo that features a sleek and fierce-looking lion head in York’s signature red. Also unveiled was the new Lions mascot – a lion with an updated face – which has not yet been named.

Jennifer Myers, executive director of Athletics and Recreation at York, told the crowd that the new branding and image was more than a year and a half in the making.

“It’s something we’ve been trying to do for a long time,” she said, adding that the York community was consulted during the process.
#HeartOfALionDay

One of the key contributing factors to the new logo was the question “What does it mean to be a Lion?” in a pan-University context.

“We needed something that would embody the entire student population,” she said, adding their research produced great insight.

The common attributes of a Lion, they found, are: being open and accepting of everyone in the “pride”; being courageous, persevering and standing up for what you believe in; having the heart of a lion; and being a leader.

Myers described the new logo as being “magnetic, confident and instilling that sense of real pride.”

The York Lions new logo

The final piece of the new branding will be to give the York Lions mascot a new name. Students, staff, faculty and alumni are welcome to make suggestions on Sept. 4 during the student orientation happening at the York Lions Stadium. The winning name will be announced at halftime during the Sept. 29 football game.

The event also featured students modelling the new line of branded clothing (available at the York University Bookstore and at Tait McKenzie) as well as two raffle winners.

A video of York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton’s reaction to the new branding was screened for guests at the event, and a second video titled “Heart of a Lion” played as the finale to the day.

Women’s and men’s Lions soccer teams ready for action

Heading into the 2018-19 season, the women’s and men’s York Lions soccer teams aim to position themselves for impressive Ontario University Athletics (OUA) standings. They will kick off the season on Friday night under the lights vs. Western.

2018 women’s soccer season preview

This is a big year for the York Lions women’s soccer team, as the squad looks to prove itself in the OUA standings.

The Lions had an up and down 2017 season, where they went winless in the first six games of the year before rallying to go unbeaten in the last five games of the year and qualify for a spot in the OUA playoffs. Lions head coach Carmine Isacco hopes his team will avoid a slow start this season and has focused his messaging on being mentally prepared to start the year.

“We’ve been trying to emphasize that our mentality and character has to stay strong no matter what the situation is during the game,” said Isacco. “Our will to win and compete has to be consistent and we can’t settle for mediocrity. Success is something we build towards every day and it starts through our preparations in the off-season and in training camp.”

Isacco believes this message is well-received by a team that fought hard last season despite long odds to make the playoffs and thinks the group’s character and resiliency will be one of their strengths again this year.

The Lions lineup features a mix of talented upper-year players and a stellar group of sophomores who acquitted themselves well in their rookie seasons.

Armed with a solid mental game and an improving roster, the Lions have all the tools necessary to make some noise in the OUA this season and earn a return trip to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

2018 men’s soccer season preview

Coming off an OUA title and fifth-place finish at the U SPORTS championships in 2017, the York University Lions men’s soccer team will try to remain at the top of the OUA standings and compete yet again for a national title in the 2018 season.

The Lions have been on one of the most dominant runs in U SPORTS soccer history over the past decade, winning four national titles and five OUA championships since 2007. Such a sustained run of success leads to high expectations each year for the team, and the 2018 version of this soccer powerhouse is no different. Head coach Isacco recognizes the high expectations his team faces but prefers to focus on the process involved with becoming a winning team rather than the end result.

“In terms of our expectations for this season, we just want this group of players to develop into a strong unit that works together and plays well technically and tactically,” he said when asked what his expectations are this year. “We have some players who will be stepping into larger roles this year, and we just want them to learn to be responsible and learn what it takes to win. We’re hoping the younger guys can step in and mature quickly and I’m confident they will be able keep up the standard we’ve set in the last few years.”

Despite losing some key players from their roster, the Lions are still loaded with talent in every spot on the field. The recruiting pipeline has once again produced some high-end talent for the Lions, giving Isacco a new crop of players who will push the veterans for playing time and will be relied on heavily early in the season while some returning players work their way back from injuries.

The Lions’ record under Isacco has been nothing short of spectacular. Since taking over in 2007, the Lions have won 11 OUA West Division titles, made 10 trips to the OUA final four and eight appearances at the national championships, and hung a total of nine banners. With a stellar mix of returning veterans and fresh new faces on the roster, the 2018 Lions have the pieces in place to add some more hardware to their trophy case and extend their run of dominance this season and beyond.

Rescheduled: New era for York University Lions begins with logo launch, community event

Lions logo
York U Lions

A new look for the York University Lions was launched on Aug. 16 with the unveiling of a new logo and brand that will take the Lions into the next era of athletics and recreation at York.

Following a week-long teaser campaign, the Lions unveiled the new logo that features a sleek and fierce-looking lion head in York red.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the Lion Pride,” said Jennifer Myers, executive director of Athletics and Recreation at York. “We have introduced a powerful new look that we think will resonate with our students and the York community as a whole.

“This new logo and identity reflects our passion and commitment to athletics and recreation at York. We believe this brand will connect with students, staff and faculty alike, and with this new look everyone can see themselves as part of the pride.”

As part of the logo launch, York University will host #HeartOfALion Day for York students, faculty and staff on Tuesday, Aug. 21 now rescheduled to Wednesday, Aug. 22 due to the poor weather forecast. #HeartOfALion Day is a campus community event that will be held at the York Lions Stadium beginning at 12 p.m. The event will include the unveiling of the new York Lions Stadium scoreboard header, a rebrand campaign video and a showcase of the new fall line of clothing featuring the new logo.

Food trucks will be available on-site for food purchases and the first 500 people in attendance can receive free ice cream by showing their YU-card.

Other launch activities will begin during Orientation Week (Sept. 1 to 9), including supplying all first-year students with a newly branded YU Lions T-shirt on York Orientation Day, a mascot-naming contest, a cross-promotion with the Kahunaverse Street Team, several giveaways and a new fall fashion line with special-edition branded gear.

This is York’s first new logo since 2003, when the University changed its name from the Yeomen/Yeowomen to the Lions. For more information on the launch, visit yorkulions.ca.

To RSVP to #HeartOfALion Day, click here.

Lions take on Stingers in exhibition game, Aug. 17

York University Lions football
York University Lions football

The York University Lions football team will face their first test of the 2018 season when they visit the Concordia University Stingers for an exhibition game on Friday, Aug. 17.

York University Lions football
York University Lions football team

The exhibition game marks the third year in a row the Lions have played against a Quebec-based team in the pre-season, as the Lions faced the Sherbrooke Vert et Or in both 2016 and 2017. The matchup serves as a return home for Montreal native and Lions head coach Warren Craney, who spent seven years as defensive coordinator and three years as the defensive line coach at Concordia before coming to York.

“We’re excited to be going on the road this pre-season and testing ourselves against Concordia,” said Craney. “This trip is a great opportunity for our players to experience a new culture in a different city and will allow us to do some team building before the regular starts. Personally, it’s also exciting to be going back to my old stomping grounds and coaching against Brad (Collison) who I’ve known for over 20 years. Getting our players some live action is an important part of our preparation for the season and we’re looking forward to our first in-game action this year against Concordia.”

In 2017, the Stingers finished in third place in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) regular season with a 3-4 record before falling to the University of Montreal 42-20 in the conference semifinal. The Stingers have been a consistent team in recent years and have made the RSEQ playoffs four years in a row.

The Lions will be looking to make a jump in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) standings in 2018, after finishing tied for ninth place in 2017. The highlight of the 2017 campaign came against cross-town rival University of Toronto Varsity Blues, when the Lions picked up a huge win at the 48th annual Red and Blue Bowl by a score of 41-16. York will be returning some award winners to their roster this season, as tight end Nikola Kalinic and defensive end Rossini Sandiong-Djabome earned OUA second-team all-star honours for the first time in 2017, while James Duffey Jr. and Daniel Loggale earned spots on the OUA all-rookie team.

The Lions will open the 2018 regular season at home when they take on the Queen’s Gaels on Sunday, Aug. 26 at Alumni Field.

Lions name Cook assistant coach of women’s soccer team

Tina Cook
Tina Cook

York University Lions women’s soccer Master Coach Carmine Isacco announced that Tina Cook has been named as assistant coach of the women’s soccer program.

Tina Cook
Tina Cook

Cook, who played professionally in Greece for two years following a four-year university career at Graceland University, comes to York with experience coaching at the university level and a track record of developing young athletes.

“Tina is very familiar with the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and brings an incredible amount of technical and tactical knowledge to our program,” said Isacco. “She also has great familiarity with the female soccer community and I have no doubt Tina will be a great role model and mentor for the young athletes in our program.”

Cook joins the Lions after a four-year stint as an assistant coach with the Ryerson Rams women’s soccer team. Her coaching experience also includes working as a staff coach with the Richmond Hill Soccer Club, associate technical director with the Newmarket Soccer Club, head coach of the junior varsity team at Graceland University and one year as an assistant coach with Graceland’s varsity team.

“I am excited to join the Lions soccer program and work alongside such an outstanding coach in Carmine Isacco and a very talented group of young women,” said Cook. “Coach Isacco has built a tradition of success and competitive culture here at York and I look forward to continuing to grow that culture.

“University sport provides a unique opportunity for us as coaches to create exceptional experiences and an environment full of challenge and growth that will serve these young women well beyond graduation. I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the holistic development of these student-athletes and the continued pursuit of excellence in the Lions soccer program.”

As a player, Cook excelled at Graceland University where she was a four-year National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) varsity scholarship athlete. The Yellowjackets went undefeated in Heart of America Conference play during her time with the team and reached the national championship elite eight in 2005 and 2008. She was also named team captain and earned an NAIA all-American scholar-athlete designation as well as the NAIA champion of character award.

After graduating from Graceland with a BA honours in psychology, Cook completed two master of science degrees. She studied diagnostic and intervention in sports science at Leipzig University in Germany and completed her European master’s in sport and exercise psychology at the University of Thessaly in Greece.

Cook will be on the sideline alongside Isacco when the Lions make their 2018-19 season debut at home against the Western Mustangs on Friday, Aug. 24.

See the original story posted here.