York Lions host cross-town rivals in OUA basketball this weekend

After locking-up the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East Division regular season title and home court advantage in the playoffs, the York Lions women’s basketball team gets ready to host cross-town rivals, Toronto and Ryerson this weekend, at the Tait McKenzie Centre.

Last month, the Lions took on the Rams and came out on top, 83-55. Emily Van Hoof and Tara Minicuci led the team with 16 points apiece against Ryerson.

The Lions also defeated the Varsity Blues (83-65) the following evening. Kim Gibbs scored a game-high 19 points against Toronto. With two victories this past weekend, the Lions extended their winning streak to 12 games after defeating RMC (92-43) and Queen’s (55-42). This week’s Female Athlete of the Week, Emily Van Hoof (right) contributed a team-high 15 points, shooting 7-of-9 from the floor against the RMC Paladins. She also had seven rebounds. Cortney Fuller added 14 points and five rebounds in the win against RMC. The following evening, Laura MacCallum led the team with 17 points. Van Hoof chipped in 10 points vs. Queen’s.

The men’s basketball team also had a winning weekend, beating RMC (69-40) and Queen’s (84-77). Dan Eves led the squad, contributing 14 points and six assists against the Paladins. Jordan Foebel had a double-double (11points, 10 rebounds). Two other players scored in double-digits. The following evening, Tut Roach led the team against Queen’s with a game-high 23 points in only 16 minutes of play. The Lions play host to city-rivals Toronto and Ryerson this weekend at the Tait McKenzie Centre.

The men’s volleyball team will also battle cross-town rivals Ryerson on Friday as the team travels downtown to face the Rams in the final game of the OUA regular season. The Lions will have a chance to finish second in the OUA and earn a first round bye in the playoffs. York was victorious in the first meeting of the season with Ryerson, taking the match in four sets. Last weekend, the Lions swept Queen’s (3-2) and Royal Military College (3-0). This week’s Male Athlete of the Week Paul Podstawka (right) registered 15 kills, three digs and 18 points against Queen’s. Brad Girardo led the team with 22 points against RMC, while Podstawka posted 11 kills, six digs and 12 points.

The women’s volleyball team won their only contest last weekend, defeating RMC in three-straight sets. Judith Thompson led the team with a game-high eight points. She also had seven kills and three digs. The Lions wrap-up the regular season on Wednesday when they travel to Ryerson to take on the Rams.

This weekend, the track and field teams travel to Windsor for the Windsor Team Challenge. The Lions are coming off of a strong weekend, hosting the 36th Annual York Classic where the team nabbed five gold medals. York swept the podium in the men’s 60 metre event. Jared Lewis, Dennison Collins, Justin McLennan and Randolph Fajardo finished first, second, third and fourth place, respectively. The foursome also claimed gold in the 4 by 200m relay. The women won three gold medals as Wendy Clark was tops in the 600m and Kaitlin Coopman and Kristen Matthews won gold in the 1000m and high jump.

The men’s hockey squad split a pair of games with Lakehead last weekend, losing the first game (4-2) before defeating the Thunderwolves 6-3 in the rematch. Fourth-year Matt Passfield led the team in the victory with two goals and one assist. The previous evening, captain Blair Grennier and Jerry Clarke put York on the board, chipping in a goal apiece. The Lions host Brock this Thursday. The team will also battle Laurier on Saturday at Canlan Ice Sports Arena.

The women’s hockey team hosts Brock this Saturday. Last weekend, the Lions went 1-1, falling to the No.4-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks (3-1) before downing Guelph Gryphons (1-0). Michelle Daniels was the lone goal scorer in the victory, while Natalie Hughes and Autumn Mills chipped in the assists.