Weekend wrap: Men’s soccer Lions bounce back with convincing win over Mustangs

York Lions Logo

The York University Lions men’s soccer team bounced back after Saturday’s loss with a convincing 3-1 win on the road against the Western University Mustangs on Sunday in London, Ont.

York Lions LogoThe game was intense and fast-paced off of the first whistle, and after a superb individual effort by Michael Cox in the 22nd minute, the Lions were up a goal by the end of the first half. Cox showed sharp anticipation skills which enabled him to intercept a back pass to Western goalkeeper Ben Cowman and tuck the ball into the bottom corner of the net. More details on York Lions website.

Sunday’s win came one day after a 1-0 loss to the University of Windsor Lancers, the Lions first loss to an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) opponent in nearly two years.

The Lions entered the battle of nationally ranked teams riding a 33-game winning streak against teams from the OUA dating back to a 1-0 loss to the McMaster University Marauders on Oct. 5, 2013. They dominated the match in Windsor, Ont., and controlled possession throughout, but in the 89th minute Windsor rookie Jamar Redhead got to the end of a cross pass to slip the ball past the fingers of York goalkeeper Colm Vance. More details.

Nationally ranked women’s soccer Lions and Mustangs battle to draw

The No. 5 nationally ranked York University Lions women’s soccer team held a critical 1-1 draw against the No. 3 Western University Mustangs at Mustang Field on Sunday to remain undefeated on the year.

It was an eventful first half which saw action on both sides of the pitch. The Lions looked threatening going forward into the final third and capitalized off of their first chance of the game in the 26th minute. Bullying the Mustangs around in the box, striker Nour Ghoneim met the ball in the air from midfielder Sarah Wong’s in-swinging corner kick and the Lions were up 1-0 in the first 45 minutes. More details.

On Saturday, the Lions edged the University of Windsor Lancers 1-0 on a first-half goal by Sydney Hoareau. In the first half the Lions attempted to execute off of several long-range efforts, but it was not until the 41st minute that Hoareau was able to find the back of the net. The buildup was clinical as the Lions were able to string together a series of passes along the right wing of the field before it was crossed in by Ghoneim and calmly placed below the crossbar by Hoareau. More details.

No. 7 Marauders too much for football Lions

The York University Lions football team was defeated by a score of 67-10 by the No. 7 nationally ranked McMaster University Marauders at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton, Ont.

The Lions played a strong first quarter. After McMaster scored on its first two possessions and added a third score on a defensive touchdown on an interception return, the Lions got on the scoreboard late in the frame when rookie quarterback Brett Hunchak completed back-to-back passes to Ryan Dunaway, the first for 47 yards and the second into the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown to cut the Marauders lead to 17-7.

On McMaster’s next possession, the Lions defence stuffed the Marauders on a third-down try at the seven-yard line to prevent another score and take over the ball to start the second.  More details.

Women’s tennis Lions remain unbeaten with wins over Varsity Blues and Martlets

The York University Lions women’s tennis team extended its unbeaten streak to 15 matches this weekend with a pair of convincing victories over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and McGill University Martlets.

The Lions knocked off the Varsity Blues 7-0 at the University of Toronto on Saturday and the Martlets 6-1 at home on Sunday. The wins stretched their season record to 4-0 and added to the undefeated 8-0 mark they put up in the regular season last year.

Also this weekend, the men’s team faced the same two opponents and was defeated in both, by a 7-0 score to the Varsity Blues and a 5-2 result to the Redmen. More details.

Field hockey Lions blank Gaels, fall to Varsity Blues

The York University Lions field hockey team split a pair of games on Sunday at York Stadium. The Lions were defeated in the morning by the University of Toronto Varsity Blues by a score of 5-0, but caught fire in the second game in shutting out the Queen’s University Gaels 4-0.

Against Queen’s, the Lions attacked the Gaels defence and totalled four unanswered scores. York dominated possession of the ball and it proved to pay dividends as just 11 minutes in, they marched down the field and Rachel Modestino buried a rebound that was initially saved by Queen’s goalkeeper Amanda Thoo. More details.

Also this weekend, the Lions were defeated by the University of Guelph Gryphons by a score of 6-0. Guelph opened the scoring at the 15:37 mark of the opening half when they collapsed the Lion net and Allison Cute potted a goal for a 1-0 lead. Shortly after the Gryphons first goal, they added to their lead with a Daniela Jelec shot from distance which beat the Lion defensive wall and found the back of the net making the game 2-0 Gryphons. More details.

Women’s rugby Lions fall to Mustangs for season’s first loss

The York University Lions women’s rugby team fell to the Western University Mustangs by a score of 38-22 on Saturday in London, Ont.

York broke the scoreless game only five minutes into regulation when Cheyenne Legerton scored a try that she planted near the sideline corner. Soon after the Legerton try, the Mustangs went on a scoring frenzy, starting at the 7:02 mark when Paige Farries evaded multiple Lions and took off for a 50-yard try dash. After the Farries scoring drive, it was all Andrea Bowra as she single-handedly scored nine points in just over 10 minutes, making the score 14-5. More details.

Cross country Lions open strong at Western International

The York University Lions men’s and women’s cross country teams finished ninth and 12th, respectively, at the Western International Invitational in London, Ont., on Saturday.

Suraj Sharma led the way for the Lions on the men’s side, crossing the finish line of the 8km race with a time of 26:59, which placed him 40th overall. Just over a minute after Sharma ended his day, Brandon Belan finished with a time of 27:09 placing him 45th overall, and Chris Pallotta ended in 27:54, landing him in the 57th spot. More details.