The York University Lions field hockey team opened the 2018 season at home with a big win and a tie Sunday, defeating the McGill University Martlets 9-0 and tying 1-1 against the University of Guelph Gryphons.
Head Coach Zeeshan Minhas said before the season that he has high expectations for the predominately young squad and they did not disappoint. The Lions have started the season off strong with 10 goals in the first two games.
The Lions played their first game of the day against the University of Guelph Gryphons. Frankie St. Louis assisted rookie forward Chloe Walton's goal in the 20th minute, her first goal as a York Lion, to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. The Gryphons reacted quickly evening the score in the 30th minute at 1-1. The Lions recorded three shots in the first half and four shots in the second. More details on the York Lions website.
Lions win streak moves to three games with victory over Badgers
York University's women's soccer team won their game on Sunday against the Brock University Badgers, the sixth-place team in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West division. The Lions, who played their second of three consecutive away games, beat the Badgers 2-0 at Brock's Alumni Field.
It was Sia Papadopoulos who scored the two goals for York, both of which were assisted by midfielder Farkhunda Muhtaj. Papadopoulos scored the first goal at the 35th minute of the game and scored the second and final goal of the game at the 56th minute. Papadopoulos has been having a spectacular season after only appearing in six games last season as a result of injuries. She is currently ranked top 10 for the most goals in the OUA. More details.
York tops Brock 3-2 in Sunday afternoon road game
The York University men's soccer team beat the Brock University Badgers 3-2 in an action-packed game at the Badger's Alumni Field on Sunday, Sept. 16.
The Lions got off to a quick start and within the second minute of the game, York's Maurizio Ragone scored the first goal against Brock's goalkeeper Alexander May. The Badgers responded and in the 15th minute, Brock's Alexander Makubuya also scored the team's first goal of the game to tie the game 1-1. The Badgers scored another goal before the first half ended to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. More details.
Lions lose on road against number one ranked Mustangs
The York Lions traveled to London, Ont., on Saturday to take on the Western University Mustangs, who proved why they are the top-ranked team in the country, winning by a final score of 76-3.
The Mustangs started strong, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions to jump out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Lions hung tough defensively though, stopping the Mustangs on their next possession, thanks to two big plays by the defensive line. Western was moving the ball down the field and into Lions territory until defensive end Rossini Sandjong-Djabome picked up a sack against Mustangs quarterback Chris Merchant for a five-yard loss on a first down play. On the very next play, rookie defensive lineman Kwadwo Boahen and Tevin McCarty combined for a sack on second down to force a Mustangs punt. More details.
Lions split with Gaels, drop matches to Mustangs in first action of 2018 season
The York University Lions tennis team took on the Queen's University Gaels and Western Mustangs over the weekend in their first matches of the 2018 season.
On Saturday, the Lions men's team opened the season with a win defeating the Gaels by a score of 8-1. They won five of six singles matches and all three doubles matches as they cruised to the victory.
The Lions rookies had a strong day as Tegbir Hara, Jeremy Guttman, Pierre Spender and Andrew Razaev all won their singles matches. Sophomore Karan Negi also won his match, picking up a straight sets 6-2, 6-4 victory. Hara and Guttman had particularly strong days for the Lions in their debuts and Hara also teamed with Razaev to win their doubles match 8-4. More details.