Weekend wrap: Third consecutive overtime win for Lions in last game before winter break

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The York University women’s hockey team pulled out another overtime victory on Friday as they beat the University of Western Mustangs 3-2 at Canlan Ice Sports. Erin Locke again played the role of hero for the Lions, as she scored the overtime winner in the second consecutive game.

The Lions’ first good scoring chance of the game came off the stick of forward Brooke Anderson four minutes into the game, as she took a pass in the slot but lost the handle on the puck as it dribbled harmlessly toward Mustangs goalie Carmen Lasis. The teams settled into a defensive battle through the first half of the period, with Lions goaltender Eva Hall making a nice blocker save on a backhand by Western forward April Clark at the six-minute mark. More details on the York Lions website.

York brings home 16 medals at annual X-mas Meet

The York University Lions track and field had a successful home meet over the weekend, as the team brought home a total of 16 medals at their annual X-mas Meet. Hosted at the Toronto Track & Field Centre on York’s Keele Campus, the X-mas Meet yielded an even eight medals for both the York men’s and women’s teams.

The women’s team earned an impressive four gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals. Bringing home the gold for the Lions were thrower Brittany Crew in the weight throw (17.60m), Caroline Ritchie in the pole vault (3.45m), and Christy Ihunaegbo in the 300m (39.34) and the 4x200m relay team, which featured Ihunaegbo, Asia Hogan Rochester, Adjaratu Traore and Nicolette Witherspoon (1:44.45). More details.

Lions earn big road win against Marauders

The York University men’s basketball team defeated the McMaster University Marauders 91-81 on Friday evening in Hamilton, Ont.

Despite a comeback attempt by the Marauders in the third quarter, the Lions led the Marauders throughout all four quarters. The Marauders and the Lions were evenly matched holding similar records on the season. The Lions entered the game with a 3-5 record, while the Marauders had a 4-5 record. Despite the Marauders now having one more loss than the Lions, they sit in fourth place in the OUA West division, while the Lions sit in sixth place in the OUA East division. More details.

The following night, the Lions lost by two points to the Brock University Badgers by a score of 96-94 on Saturday evening at Bob Davis Gym.

Despite a coming back from a slow start in the second quarter, and leading the game late, the Lions faced a disappointing loss after a buzzer beater jump shot by the Badgers in the final quarter won the game.

The Lions added the first points to start the game with a jump shot by Chevon Brown. The Badgers had the biggest lead on the Lions in the last minute of play of the first quarter by a score of 21-12. Gianmarco Luciani made a jump shot and a free throw and the Lions trailed 21-15 by the end of the quarter. More details.

Lions lost high-scoring game 6-5 to Warriors in overtime

The York University Lions men’s hockey team lost a high-scoring game to the Waterloo Warriors on Friday night in Waterloo, Ont., by a score of 6-5 in overtime. With the loss, the Lions have dropped their last three games after a red-hot stretch saw them win seven of eight games.

It was all Warriors in the first period as they outshot the Lions 17-5 in the frame. Lions goaltender Mack Shields kept his team in the game, turning away 16 shots in the period, but Waterloo gained a 1-0 lead at the 13:30 mark when Markson Bechtold found the back of the net on the powerplay. More details.

On Saturday afternoon, the Lions were defeated by the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks 5-0 at Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

The Lions won their previous matchup against the Golden Hawks on Nov. 17 at home by a score of 4-3. However, the Golden Hawks had the advantage of the home crowd in this afternoon’s game and outshot the Lions with 47 shots on goal compared to the Lions who had 17. The game was also highly physical, as there was a total of 28 different infractions.

The Golden Hawks were all over the Lions in the first period, putting up 18 shots on goal, while the Lions had three shots on goal. Despite the Golden Hawks outshooting the Lions, neither team was able to find the back of the net. Alex Fotinos stopped all 18 shots from the Golden Hawks and kept the score at 0-0 by the end of the first period. More details.

Lions lose close game by two points to Badgers

The York University women’s basketball team lost a close game against the Brock University Badgers 75-73 on Saturday evening at Bob Davis Gym.

The Lions competed in their final game until the New Year, and it was one jump shot and a free throw that allowed the Badgers to top the Lions by two points in the fourth quarter. The Lions managed to come back from an 11-point deficit in the first quarter and lead the Badgers throughout the third and fourth quarters.

The Lions were the first to add points to the score sheet with a jump shot by Emma Jonas to begin the game. However, it was the Badgers who dominated the rest of the first quarter, adding 24 points to lead the Lions 24-13 by the end of the quarter. More details. 

The day before, the Lions were defeated by the McMaster University Marauders 84-62 on Friday evening in Hamilton, Ont.

The Marauders were a tough opponent for the Lions, as they are sitting in first place in the OUA West division with an 8-2 record this season. With the loss, the Lions now have a 5-4 record and sit in the middle of the pack in the OUA East division after their second last game before the winter break.

The Marauders kept a strong lead on the Lions throughout all four quarters to earn themselves their eighth win. In the first quarter, after five consecutive points by the Marauders, the Lions earned their first points with a three-pointer by Megan Macleod. Despite the Lions keeping it close throughout the first half of the quarter, the Marauders added 23 points to lead the Lions 23-14. More details.