Sports recap: Men’s soccer Lions advance to semifinals with win over Golden Hawks

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The No. 1 York University Lions men’s soccer team won its Ontario University Athletics (OUA) quarter final match with a 2-0 win over the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks on Sunday at York Stadium.

The Lions had a nervy start to the game but were able to find their rhythm as the match progressed. Jarek Whiteman showed the first sign of danger at the ninth minute. The forward sent in a cross from the right flank, but the ball went over Dena Iezady and out for a throw-in.

The Lions drew the first blood in the 19th minute after a well-taken header by defender Henry Moody. Jonathan Lao sent in the cross from a free kick, which Moody headed towards the goal. The keeper jumped for the ball, but it went over him and into the net.  More details.

Women’s soccer Lions eliminated with penalty shootout loss to Golden Hawks

The No. 8 York University Lions women’s soccer team was eliminated from the playoffs with a 1-1 (4-2 PK) loss to the No. 6 Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks in their OUA quarter-final match at University Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After the two teams played to a draw through 120 minutes of action, goalkeeper Maggie Carmichael proved to be a difference maker, making two saves in the penalty shootout to lift her team to the victory.

Although the Hawks came away with the victory, it was the Lions who had the better start in the contest. Through the opening 45 minutes, York had six shot attempts and was rewarded with the game’s first goal in the 31st minute. Rookie forward Christina Morelli finished off a chance in front of Carmichael to give the Lions a 1-0 lead at the half.  More details.

Field hockey Lions finish fourth with loss to Gaels

The York University Lions field hockey team finished in fourth place at the OUA championships on Sunday with a 2-1 loss to the Queen’s University Gaels in the bronze medal match.

The fourth-place result was a strong one for the Lions, who missed the playoffs last year and came into the championships seeded fifth. They upset the University of Waterloo Warriors 2-0 in the quarter-finals to have a chance to play for a medal.

After a scoreless first half, Queen’s got on the board first in the 49th minute when Taylor Herrington found the back of the net to give the Gaels the lead.  More details.

Cross country Lions finish ninth at OUA championships

The Lions men’s cross country team finished in ninth place at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships at Fort Henry Hill in Kingston, Ont., on Saturday.

The team moved up two spots from its 11th-place result last season thanks to a number of strong performances from the runners in the 10 kilometre race.

Esteban Clavijo, competing in his final cross country meet for the Lions, put up an impressive 30th-place finish in a time of 33:05, more than three minutes faster than the time he recorded last season, to end up as the top Lion.  More details.

Football Lions end season with heartbreaking loss to Warriors

The York University Lions football team suffered a heartbreaking 32-31 loss to the visiting University of Waterloo Warriors in the season finale for both teams at York Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions had a chance to tie with 14 seconds left after Connor Anderson scored his second touchdown of the game, but the point-after attempt was fumbled, leaving the Lions one point behind. They recovered the onside kick on Waterloo’s 49-yard line, but Nick Naylor’s 56-yard field goal attempt came up short as time expired.

The Lions were in position to extend the game thanks to a furious second-half comeback after trailing 24-7 at the break.  More details.

Women’s volleyball Lions remain unbeaten with win over Gryphons

The York University Lions women’s volleyball team defeated the University of Guelph Gryphons in straight sets on Saturday in Guelph, Ont.

The Lions won 25-17 in the first set, 25-20 in the second and 25-23 in the third. The Lions are now in first place in the OUA East standings with a perfect 3-0 mark.  More details.

One day earlier, the Lions took down the University of Waterloo Warriors in convincing fashion, winning 25-11 in the first set, 25-17 in the second, and 25-14 in the third.  More details.

Men’s hockey Lions win thriller over No. 4 Patriotes

The York University Lions men’s hockey team topped the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East Division-leading Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) Patriotes by a score of 5-4 after a thrilling match between the two teams at Canlan Ice Sports on Saturday.

The Patriotes came into this match with five wins and no losses, but the Lions snapped that streak with an impressive display on the rink. The Lions’ victory was inspired by a tremendous performance by rookie defender Derek Sheppard, who was involved in three of the goals, scoring two of them himself.  More details.

The win came one day after an 8-2 loss to the Concordia University Stingers. The Stingers opened up the scoring at 12:33 of the first period with a goal that shook the Lions’ defence when Dany Potvin and Alex MacDonald crossed the puck from the right side to the left side, allowing the very fast Olivier Hinse to net the puck.  More details.

Women’s hockey Lions top Warriors in a shootout

The York University Lions women’s hockey team won 4-3 in a shootout against the University of Waterloo Warriors after an exciting game on Sunday at Canlan Ice Sports.

The Lions were able to come out of a 2-0 disadvantage to score three goals in the third, followed by another Warrior’s goal, tying the game. The game ended up in a shootout, with Megan Lee saving all three shots she faced, and Lisa Stathopulos scoring the only goal, giving the Lions the win.  More details.

The previous afternoon, the Lions were shut out by the No. 7 Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks by a score of 2-0. Despite the loss, Lee played an impressive game, making 30 saves out of 32 attempts.  More details.

Men’s volleyball Lions open season with win over Waterloo

The No. 8 York University Lions men’s volleyball team defeated the University of Waterloo Warriors 3-1on Friday in Waterloo, Ont.

The Lions won the first and second set with 25-21 and the fourth with 27-25. The Warriors won the third set 25-21. In the first set, many kills were made from both sides, but the Warriors were aided by a series of service errors from the Lions. Josh Henderson committed a kill at the end of the game to ensure a win for the Lions.  More details.

The next day, the Lions were defeated in four sets by the University of Guelph Gryphons. The Lions lost the first set 26-24, lost the second 25-22, won the third 25-18, and lost the fourth 25-21.  More details.