The No. 2 nationally ranked York University Lions men's soccer team defeated the No. 7 Guelph Gryphons 4-1, with three exceptional assists from Jonathon Lao on Saturday (Oct. 4) at York Stadium.
 
The Lions and Gryphons were neck-and-neck early in the game, starting off with equal possession and opportunities, but the Lions were able to come out on top with their fast-paced players and excellent defensive slide tackles.
 
In the first half, York striker Joey Cicchillo (North York, Ont.) scored an exceptionally phenomenal volley in the 10^th minute of play after a great pass from Lao.
 
Only three minutes later, Guelph's Tim Flynn ran through the defence and took a shot that goalkeeper Colm Vance (Bradford, Ont.) was able to cover with his body. Unfortunately, Flynn picked up the deflection and buried the ball in the back of the Lions' net, equalizing the score.
 
In the 25^th minute of play Lao shot a corner kick to the top of the six-foot-four Dena Iezady's (Richmond Hill, Ont.) head and into the Gryphon's net, putting the Lions back into the lead.
 
In the 33^rd minute, Flynn threatened the Lions lead again when his free kick bounced off the inside of the crossbar, but Vance was able to quickly clutch the ball before it could cross over the goal line.
 
The Lions carried the 2-1 lead into halftime.
 
In the second half, Lao got involved in the play again, assisting Matt Stinson (Toronto) with a 60^th minute goal. He sent another corner into the box that Stinson headed into the top corner of the net to give the Lions a 3-1 lead.
 
In the 78^th minute, Iezady took a shot that deflected off the goal post and landed in front of Cicchillo's foot, and he buried into the net for another goal.
 
Defenders Daniel Fabrizi (Brampton, Ont.), De Vante Walker (Brampton, Ont.), Casey D'Mello (Mississauga, Ont.) and Henry Moody (Toronto) played a superb defensive game, constantly sweeping the ball away from danger and protecting many shots from reaching Vance.
 
Vance played a great game saving three difficult shots, only letting one ball fly past him. Guelph goalkeeper Benjamin Caranci shut the Lions down many times as he dove to save six shots from an astounding total of 18 shots on net.
 
The Lions extended their winning streak to 10 in a row and now have an overall record of 11-0-1, giving them a commanding 12-point lead in the OUA West standings.
 
Up next for the Lions is a game against their rivals, the McMaster Marauders, on Sunday (Oct. 5) in Hamilton, Ont. The Marauders are currently in second place in the division with an 8-1-2 record.