The red-hot York University Lions men’s volleyball team added to its impressive winning streak on Saturday after defeating the Brock University Badgers 3-1 in St. Catharines, Ont. The Lions moved into first place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East Division with the win.
It was not until the third set that the Badgers seemed to put up a fight. In the first two sets, the Lions won decisively with scores of 25-16 and then 25-17. Alex Duncan-Thibault was one of the prime reasons for the Lions’ early success as he locked down and took control of the court with his game-leading 23 kills and 29 points, a total that moved him into the OUA scoring lead. This astounding number accounted for over half of the team’s total kills. More details on the York Lions website.
On Sunday, the Lions won their sixth straight match and kept themselves in first place with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues after being down two sets.
In the opening set, the Lions and Blues both showcased their innate ability to hit the ball with incredible force. As the score climbed back and forth through the entirety of the set it was evident that the score would not be settled at 25. Despite the power displayed by the Lions, they would be unable to capitalize on their advantages and would lose the set 28-26. More details.
Women’s hockey Lions shut out Golden Hawks in last home game of the season
The York University Lions women’s hockey team capped the home portion of its regular season with a big 4-0 shutout victory over the visiting Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks at Canlan Ice Sports on Sunday afternoon.
The first period was an even, tight affair in which the Lions outshot the Golden Hawks 10-9 but neither team could beat the goaltender. In the second the Lions poured on the offense, outshooting the Hawks 15-6 and scoring three times. More details.
As part of their weekend schedule, the Lions were also defeated 3-0 by the Queen’s University Gaels on Saturday afternoon. The Lions dominated play for much of the contest and outshot the Gaels 25-12 but were repeatedly thwarted by Queen’s goaltender Stephanie Pascal, who stopped all 25 shots she faced to earn the shutout in net. More details.
No. 10 men’s hockey Lions end regular season with victory over Paladins
The No. 10 nationally ranked York University Lions men’s hockey team wrapped up the regular season on Friday night with a 5-2 victory over the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins at Canlan Ice Sports.
After a scoreless first period, the Lions scored two goals just eight seconds apart early in the second period to take a 2-0 lead. Trevor Petersen opened the scoring at 5:42 after Greg Milner passed the puck to the front of the net and he slapped it home.
Just moments later Petersen was at it again, assisting on Colton Vannucci’s tally. Team captain Shayne Rover assisted on both goals and the Lions carried the 2-0 advantage into the final frame. More details.
Women’s volleyball Lions snap skid with comeback win over Badgers
The York University Lions women’s volleyball team mounted an impressive comeback after being down two sets to none on Saturday afternoon to the Brock University Badgers. As a result of the 3-2 win in St. Catharines, Ont., the Lions successfully snapped a three-game losing streak.
In the opening two sets of the match it seemed that the Lions fate would be sealed and for the third time in four games, they would be sent home after being swept. Brock ruled the first two sets in a similar fashion as they took both by a score of 25-22. More details.
The following day, the Lions played a hard-fought match against the undefeated and No. 2 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues, stealing the third set but ultimately falling in four. The match represents only the fourth time in 15 matches the Blues have dropped a set this season.
The opening set would see a powerful hitting Varsity Blues squad take an early lead. Toronto’s early jump had the Lions playing catch-up, and they were not able to close the gap before falling 25-17. More details.
Delle Donne wins bronze at OUA wrestling championships
The York University Lions women’s wrestling team finished in fifth place at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships hosted by McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., on Saturday, led by a bronze medal result by Maddy Delle Donne.
Delle Donne, competing in the 82kg weight class, who her first medal at the conference championships after finishing in fifth place last year.
The team also had three other wrestlers in bronze-medal bouts with a chance to qualify for the U SPORTS championships on the line, but all three finished in fourth place. Gurleen Tak (Brampton, Ont.) was competing in the 48kg weight class, Danica Pedrick in the 55kg weight class and Petra Woods in the 67kg division. More details.
Men’s basketball Lions push No. 3 Gee-Gees to the brink in one-point loss
The future of the York University Lions men’s basketball team gleaned on Friday night as the packed stands of Tait McKenzie Centre were treated to what the next few years will hold as they pushed the No. 3 nationally ranked the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees to the brink in a narrow 70-69 loss.
Trailing 51-46 after the first 30 minutes of play, the Lions played a strong fourth to nearly steal the upset. Jayden Frederick came out swinging as he scored five points in the opening three minutes of the quarter, and with each basket, the Lions were closing the gap.
Two-thirds of the way through the fourth quarter the Lions looked as if they were about to pull off the upset of the year. Julio Vazquez hit a jumper to bring the game within two points with 1:36 left, and on the next possession the ball was fumbled around until Frederick gained possession and went baseline for the reverse layup to tie the game at 66. More details.
The following night, the Lions returned to the court to face off against the No. 1 Carleton University Ravens, and a tough night against an outstanding opponent would leave the Lions defeated by a score of 114-50. More details.
Track and field Lions post big results at meets on both sides of the border
Members of the York University Lions track and field team had another solid weekend of competition at a pair of meets on both sides of the border. Collectively, the squad won two medals at the Spire NCAA Division I Invitational in Geneva, Ohio, and another five at the Windsor Team Challenge in Windsor, Ont.
In Ohio, Holly Pitters continued her tremendous season by breaking her own school record in the long jump with a distance of 6.15 metres to win the gold medal in the event. She had set the previous mark earlier this year at the CanAm Classic in Windsor, Ont.
Also finding the podium in Ohio was Nicholas Fyffe, who recorded a distance of 14.81 metres in the triple jump to capture the bronze medal. More details.
Women’s basketball Lions finish home regular season with loss to No. 5 Ravens
The York University Lions women’s basketball team returned to the court on Saturday night when the visiting No. 5 nationally ranked Carleton University Ravens strolled in from the nation’s capital and rolled to a 65-40 win at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
Sandra Nagowska was ready to put on a show for fans who made the trip to see her perform at home one last time. She would score four of her 11 points in the opening quarter. A powerful Ravens attack would see the Lions outscored 17-10 in the quarter. More details.
On Friday night the Lions played a hard fought game against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees but a difficult second quarter made the difference as the visitors took the 62-54 victory at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Friday night.
The cornerstones of the Lions’ squad, Shauney Fischer and Ishanaa Seupersadsingh went straight to work in their second-last home game at York. In the opening quarter alone, the fifth-year duo combined for nine points. More details.