The No. 5 nationally-ranked York University Lions women's soccer team held a critical 1-1 draw against the No. 3 Western Mustangs at Mustang Field on Sunday (Sept. 27) to remain undefeated on the year.
 
It was an eventful first half which saw action on both sides of the pitch. The Lions looked threatening going forward into the final third and capitalized off of their first chance of the game in the 26^th minute. Bullying the Mustangs around in the box, striker Nour Ghoneim (Aurora, Ont.) met the ball in the air from midfielder Sarah Wong's (Toronto) in-swinging corner kick and the Lions were up 1-0 in the first 45 minutes.
 
Coming into the second half the Lions' defence was the star of the show. Under the leadership of defenders Shannon Wood (Brampton, Ont.) and Tomika McIntosh (Bradford, Ont.), the Lions rallied together to defend their lead and were tactically smart off the ball to eliminate any dangerous opportunities in front of their net.
 
The Lions played strong throughout the game, but the Mustangs were able to squeeze the ball past goalkeeper Taylor Grant (Brampton, Ont.) off a set piece in the 70^th minute. The Mustangs sent a long ball into the box, and though the Lions contested to clear the ball away, Western's Tianna Deluzzio (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) got to the end of the pass and headed it past Grant.
 
Despite not getting the win, the Lions had a successful weekend on the road, coming away with four points in two games to add to their 7-0-1 record.  
 
The Lions will look to carry out their unbeaten streak and continue to climb the OUA West standings with their next game against the Laurier Golden Hawks (8-0-1) on the road in Waterloo, Ont., on Thursday (Oct. 1) beginning at 6pm.