The York University Lions women’s volleyball team posted a dominant win in straight sets over the University of Guelph Gryphons on Sunday afternoon, extending its season opening unbeaten streak to seven games.
The No. 9 nationally ranked Lions are one of two teams in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) with a perfect record at this point in the season, joining the 7-0 University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, and the two squads are tied atop the OUA standings.
The Lions dominated the match throughout, and the result was never in doubt. They won the sets by scores of 25-14, 25-13, and 25-13 in a solid team performance that saw major contributions from middle Michelle Pierce, as well as outside hitters Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson. More details on the York Lions website.
Tufegdzich’s double-double leads men’s basketball Lions over Mustangs
Nick Tufegdzich led all players in scoring, rebounding and steals on Friday night to help the York University Lions men’s basketball team cruise to an 81-62 victory in their home opener against the Western University Mustangs.
In front of a raucous home crowd at the Tait McKenzie Centre, he put up 25 points, 10 rebounds and five steals, as well as two blocks and two assists. He shot a staggering 9-of-10 from the floor, including 2-of-2 from behind the arc.
The Lions came out focused and with a game plan as they dictated the tempo by getting their hands in passing lanes and playing smothering defence in hopes of creating some turnovers. Their strategy proved to be successful as they took a 23-15 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. More details.
The following night, despite a sensational game from guard David Tyndale, the Lions came up short in their hopes of defeating the fifth-ranked University of Windsor Lancers as they were defeated by a final score of 81-72.
Tyndale finished with a game-high 34 points on an extremely efficient shooting performance that saw him make 14 out of his 23 field goal attempts, including two three-pointers.
Both teams opened the first quarter with tight man-to-man defence making it hard for the opposition to create any easy scoring opportunities. The Lancers took a 19-13 lead into the second stanza. More details.
Men’s volleyball Lions top Gryphons in thrilling comeback victory
The York University Lions men’s volleyball team closed out a weekend home stand with a thrilling five-set come-from-behind victory over the University of Guelph Gryphons at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions were facing a must-win fourth set after dropping the second and third by scores of 25-22 and 25-19 respectively, and dropped the first two points of the set. But the Lions never gave up, and after tying the set at 10 points apiece, they came together to win the fourth 25-19 and force the deciding set.
The Lions kept their pace, establishing an early fifth-set lead and never allowing the Gryphons the opportunity to recapture it en route to a 15-10 win in the deciding set, earning a much-needed 3-2 win. More details.
Earlier in the weekend, the Lions dropped a 3-1 decision to the No. 10 nationally ranked University of Waterloo Warriors. After dropping the first set 25-20 despite a strong early start, the Lions rebounded with a crushing 25-13 second set victory, including a ten-point Lions’ scoring streak off the serves of Ray Szeto. More details.
Lancers top men’s hockey Lions in second of back-to-back games
The York University Lions men’s hockey team was unable to grab a victory in the second game of a back-to-back, as they were defeated by a final score of 4-1 by the No. 7-ranked University of Windsor Lancers on Saturday night.
The first period was evenly played, as both teams managed to get a number of shots on net, creating some scoring chances. Windsor forward Spencer Pommels added to his team lead in points when he capitalized on a power play opportunity at the 8:16 mark of the first period.
Lions captain Jesse Messier would answer with a power play goal of his own at the tail end of the first period to even the score at 1-1 heading into the intermission. More details.
The loss game one day after a 2-0 loss to the Lancers at the same rink. The first period saw the Lions take a plethora of penalties, which finally proved costly when second-year forward Drew Palmer scored what would be the game-winning goal on a power play 13:02 into the first period. More details.
Women’s basketball Lions unable to tame top-ranked Lancers
The York University Lions women’s basketball team was unable to pick up its first win of the season on Saturday night, as the squad was defeated by a final score of 73-37 by the University of Windsor Lancers at the Tait Mackenzie Centre.
The Lions held their own on the defensive end in the first quarter against the No. 1-ranked Lancers, but were unable to find any offence as they managed to score just four points courtesy of Cyrielle Recoura. The smothering defence by the Lancers provided no open passing lanes and the score was 14-4 Windsor after the opening quarter. More details.
One night earlier, the Lions lost their home opener to the Western University Mustangs by a final score of 69-53.
Despite a game-high 21 points from Recoura, the Lions were unable to stop the inside presence of the Mustangs’ Jory McDonald and guard-play of Laura Dally, who had 18 points each to lead the Mustangs.
The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter on a wide open three at the eight minute mark by Recoura. However, tight defence by both teams accompanied by some sloppy play saw the quarter take on a slow pace, and the Lions trailed by a score of 15-12 heading into the second frame. More details.
Khalid, Pierzchala win bronze at U of T meet
York University Lions wrestlers Urshian Khalid and Greg Pierzchala both earned bronze medals in their respective weight divisions at the University of Toronto Wrestling Open meet on Saturday afternoon.
Khalid finished third in the women’s 63kg division while Pierzchala earned his third-place finish in the men’s 72kg division.
Also earning a medal was varsity assistant coach Miyuu Yamamoto, who was competing as a member of the wrestling club and captured gold in the 51kg division and was named MVP of the tournament after winning each of her matches by pin. More details.