After losing three of their first four Ontario University Athletics games by just one goal, the York Lions men’s soccer team found the net seven times over the weekend, allowing only one goal against in a pair of victories.
On Saturday, the Lions routed the McMaster Marauders, 5-1, thanks in large part to a hat trick by Douglas Sereti (right). The second-year midfielder’s efforts earned him this week’s York Athlete of the Week nod. On Sunday, the men played host to the eighth-ranked Brock Badgers. Heading into the match-up, Brock was the only team left in the OUA that had not surrendered a goal. The streak ended quickly as York’s Luca Forno and David Nogaro found the back of the net in the first half. York held the advantage to knock off the formerly unbeaten Badgers 2-0.
After playing to a 0-0 draw with McMaster on Saturday, the women’s soccer team returned home on Sunday after a five-game unbeaten road trip. The Lions dominated play in the first half, but could not beat the Brock goalkeeper and suffered its first loss of the year, 1-0.
Both soccer teams host the Guelph Gryphons this Sunday at York Stadium. The men’s game kicks off at 1pm followed by the women’s game at 3pm.
The women’s field hockey team began the season in fine fashion, picking up a pair of victories in Waterloo. In their wins over Carleton and Waterloo, the Lions allowed only a single goal, while scoring eight of their own. Leading the charge was rookie Lauren Conforzi who scored three times in a 4-0 shutout against Waterloo. She also scored in a 4-1 victory over the Ravens. The Lions hit the field again this weekend at Lamport Stadium when they face-off against the 2005 OUA silver-medallists Guelph Gryphons on Saturday. York also tangles with the Queen’s Golden Gaels in a rematch of last year’s bronze medal game which York took, 1-0.
On Saturday, the Lion’s football team hosts the No. 3-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees at York Stadium at 2pm. Both teams are coming off loses, with the Lions dropping a 24-0 decision to the defending Vanier Cup champion Laurier Golden Hawks and the Gee-Gees losing 24-19 to the McMaster Marauders.
York’s cross-country teams headed for the hills at the Guelph Open on Saturday. The women’s side had a terrific result, finishing second overall in the team standings behind the defending Canadian Interuniversity Sport champions, the Guelph Gryphons. Leading the Lions contingent was Kaitlin Coopman (right), who finished third out of 85 competitors. The fourth-year Kinesiology & Health Science major earned herself this week’s Female Athlete of the Week award, as her time was nearly two minutes faster than her time from a year ago. The men’s team finished fifth overall, led by Stefan Ristic who placed 35th.
Women’s rugby picked up its second win of the young season, topping the Trent Excalibur 22-10 Sunday at York Stadium. Third-year centre Courtney Pacheco led the way with a pair of tries. York has won five of the last six meetings with Trent, outscoring the Excalibur 152-33 in that span. The Lions sit in a first-place tie with McMaster, who they will tangle with this Sunday in Hamilton.
Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams enjoyed mixed success on the courts in the first week of their season. After dropping the season opener to Toronto, the men’s team responded with a 6-1 victory over UOIT and a 4-3 win over Brock. The men battle McMaster, Western and Waterloo this weekend.
The women’s tennis team also dropped the season opener to Toronto last week. On Saturday, the squad split a pair of contests, topping UOIT 7-0 before falling to McGill 6-1. The Lions host Western, Waterloo, Laurier and McMaster this weekend at Tennis Canada.
For more information on York’s interuniversity sports teams, visit the Sport York Web site.
This article was submitted to YFile by Stephen Reid, sport & recreation information assistant in York’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health.