The No. 8 nationally-ranked York University Lions women's soccer team recorded its first playoff win of the season with a 3-0 victory over the McMaster Marauders in their OUA first-round match on Wednesday (Oct. 22) at York Stadium.
 
Nour Ghoneim (Aurora, Ont.) scored two goals to boost the Lions to the next round. Ghoneim's first goal came from a team effort in the attacking third. The Lions kept the play in the offensive, and the pressure paid off when Ghoneim converted a Colleen Beesley (Richmond Hill, Ont.) pass to give the Lions the lead in the 18^th minute.
 
One minute later, the Marauders had a miscommunication on defence as goalkeeper Brittany Duffey held on to a back-pass by her teammate inside the penalty box.
 
Ghoneim took the spot-kick but her shot deflected off the wall. However, Charlene D'Mello (Mississauga, Ont.) picked up the ball on the rebound and fired it into the net.
 
The Marauders committed several fouls that kept the team from keeping possession.
 
Both teams battled for attempts on the goal for the rest of the half. Ghoneim came close to a second when a pass from the centre released her inside the box. The striker made the shot but Duffey was able to safely handle the ball.
 
A defensive error in the 41^st minute resulted in an interception by Marauders midfielder Kelsey Orlando. Orlando shot from distance, but it went wide.
 
The Lions carried their 2-0 advantage into halftime.
 
After the interval, the Lions kept up the pressure on the Marauders' defence. Aisha Lewis (Mississauga, Ont.) darted down the left flank and released a cross into the box. The pass failed to find any teammate as McMaster went on the counter attack.
 
Rookie goalkeeper Courtney Davis (Cambridge, Ont.) remained solid in front of the goal as the stopper halted attempts by the Marauders' forwards. A Marauders cross from the right found midfielder Sarah Fettah in the 69^th minute, who headed it towards the goal but Davis valiantly caught the ball.
 
Later, D'Mello laid a through ball to Christina Morelli (Markham, Ont.), who dribbled past two defenders and fired a powerful shot on target, but Duffey stood her ground and collected the ball.
 
Ghoneim finally added to the Lions' total later in the half when she netted her second of the game with 72 minutes played. Lewis crossed the ball from the wing towards the box. The pass found Ghoneim, who chipped the ball over the incoming goalie and into the net.
 
Soon after, a free kick was awarded to the Marauders, which midfielder Noor Sakran took. Sakran's shot was directed at the goal but once again Davis showed safe hands to record a clean sheet.
 
The Marauders exerted a last-minute pressure on the attack. However, it proved too late as the whistle was blown for the end of the game.
 
Goalkeepers from both teams were outstanding in defending their posts. Davis made five crucial saves while Duffey managed seven.
 
With the win, the Lions have advanced to the OUA quarter-finals for the first time since 2011 and will face the Laurier Golden Hawks on Sunday (Oct. 26) in Waterloo at 1pm.
 

Taylor couldn't even contain Nour tonight! Her two goals powers the Lions past McMaster. Next up: they will travel Laurier on Sunday in the OUA quarter-finals. Go Lions! ???????? yorku lionpride yorklions happynour playoffs beatTheHawks oua soccer

A photo posted by York Lions (@yorkulions) on Oct 10, 2014 at 7:15pm PDT