Weekend wrap: Men’s soccer Lions blank Ridgebacks, extend win streak to three

Lions showed their stellar form as they took on the challengers on the soccer pitch

The York University Lions men’s soccer team extended its winning streak to three games this Sunday, Sept. 9, defeating the visiting University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks 3-0 at York Stadium.

Lions showed their stellar form as they took on the challengers on the soccer pitchLions showed their stellar form as they took on the challengers on the soccer pitch

Speedy striker Adrian Pena came very close to scoring only six minutes into the game, launching a header off a cross pass from Casey D’Mello at the Ridgeback net, but UOIT keeper Michael Heinrich made a leaping save.

The Lions managed to solve the Ridgeback defence in the 25th minute, when rookie striker Joseph Cicchillo found the ball loose in a crowd in front of the net, and managed to kick it over the Ridgeback goaltender.

Pena had another great chance at the net, firing a free kick at the net from about 30 yards out, only to hit the far side post. More details on the York Lions website.

Women’s soccer Lions play to a 0-0 draw with Ridgebacks

The York University Lions women’s soccer team was back in action on Sunday and looking to continue its undefeated season against the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks. Both teams were unable to beat the other defensively, battling to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes and stoppage time at York Stadium.

The first half of the game saw both teams struggle to produce quality scoring chances. Rita Keimakh had the Lions’ strongest opportunity in the half, taking a free kick from near the midfield line and hitting the crossbar in the 40th minute.

While the Ridgebacks offence appeared at times to have beaten the York defence, the solid goaltending by three-time Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West all-star Sarah Fiorini, as well as critical defensive takeaways by defender Shannon Wood, helped to keep the match scoreless at halftime. More details.

Marauders edge Lions in women’s rugby action

The York University Lions women’s rugby team was defeated by the visiting McMaster University Marauders by a score of 17-15 on Sunday afternoon at York’s Rugby Field.

Both teams came into the contest looking for their first win of the season and the Marauders, who won the OUA silver medal last year, came away with the victory.

They scored all of their points thanks to two players. Emily Ricketts scored two tries to account for 10 points, while Stephanie Black scored one try and was good on a conversion kick for the other seven.

On the other side of the field, the Lions had three different players reach the in-goal area for tries. Aisan Fazeli, Sarah Galati and Shari Stefaniuk each scored their first try of the season for five points each. More details.

The team also dropped its season opener to the Western University Mustangs by a score of 52-22 on Wednesday evening.

Most of the offence came in the second half as just two tries were scored in the first. The Mustangs held a 14-0 advantage at the break on a beautiful night at York’s Keele campus.

The game started to pick up immediately in the second half. The Lions dominated play for the first five minutes and kept the ball in Western’s end but could not get into the in-goal area. The Mustangs finally broke free and ran the ball down the length of the field, scoring their third try of the game to increase their lead.

The Lions got on the board first on a try by third-year player Fedelia Omaghan, who scored her first of the season. Stefaniuk made good on the convert to give the Lions seven points. More details.

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