The York women’s soccer team captured the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) North Division title on the weekend after posting a 1-0 victory over the visiting Laurentian University Voyageurs Sunday. Jennifer Cisternino’s second half marker was the game’s only goal, while Aurelea Gumiela continued to shine in net, recording her fifth straight shutout. The win puts the Lions five points ahead of the second-place Voyageurs with one game remaining in the regular season. The victory also gives York a first-round bye in the OUA playoffs and home-field advantage in the quarterfinals.
Right: April Noga (12) leads the women’s Lions in scoring with five goals this season (photo by Andrew Craig)
The Lions, who are ranked 8th in Canada, wrap up the regular season this Sunday, against the 3-2-4 University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Earlier this season, the Lions played to a 0-0 draw with the Blues. Kick-off is scheduled for 1pm, Oct. 23, at York Stadium.
In other events, Giuseppe Politi’s goal in the 63rd minute was the difference as Laurentian handed the Lions men’s soccer team its first loss of the season on Sunday. York sits two points behind Toronto for top spot. The division crown and home-field advantage in the playoffs will be on the line next weekend when the Lions host the Varsity Blues at York Stadium. Ranked fifth nationally, the Lions need to win in order to finish on top of the standings, while fourth-ranked Toronto needs only a tie. In their first meeting of the year, the two teams played to a scoreless draw at Varsity Stadium in the second week of the season. Game time is scheduled for 3pm following the women’s contest.
The field hockey team went 2-2 in four games last week. York lost to Toronto 1-0 and Guelph 2-1, before rebounding to defeat Western 2-1 and Queen’s 2-1. The Lions are in fourth spot in the OUA with a record of 6-5-1. York wraps up the regular season with games against Waterloo and McGill on Saturday, 10:15am and 3:15pm respectively.
The women’s hockey team remains undefeated after four regular season games following a 2-1 overtime victory at Windsor on Saturday and a 3-3 draw at Western on Sunday. The men’s hockey team opened the regular season losing 6-3 at Brock on Saturday.
The football Lions host Ottawa on Saturday in their final game of the regular season. York lost 56-3 to the defending OUA Champion Laurier this past weekend. The Lions (3-4) must defeat Ottawa (5-2) to have a chance at making the playoffs. Kick-off is set for 2pm at the York Stadium.
For more information on the Lions teams, visit the Sport York Web site.
This article was submitted to YFile by Jim McLarty, sport & recreation information officer in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science.