Dena Iezady's header in the 25^th minute was all the York University Lions men's soccer team needed to defeat the host University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) Panthers 1-0 in their Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) semifinal on Friday night (Nov. 6) in Charlottetown.
 
The win advances the Lions to the CIS championship game for the third time in seven seasons, while the Panthers will play for bronze.
 
After an even opening 20 minutes of the game that was mostly played in the midfield, the Lions began controlling possession and moving the play closer to UPEI's end. In the 25^th minute, De Vante Walker (Brampton, Ont.) brought the ball up the right wing and sent a perfect ball into the box. Iezady (Richmond Hill, Ont.) was standing near the far post and easily headed it into the net for the lead.
 
Nine minutes later another cross came into the box and Iezady got his head on it, but this time UPEI goalkeeper Brett Macdonald got in front of it to make the save.
 
The Lions were awarded a pair of corners as the half wound down but neither proved to be dangerous, and they led 1-0 at the half.
 
In the 56^th minute Iezady had another chance but his shot was wide, and three minutes later Joey Cicchillo (North York, Ont.) had a shot that Macdonald saved.
 
It looked like the Lions had taken a 2-0 lead in the 72^nd minute, but a goal by Jarek Whiteman (Brampton, Ont.) was called back because the play was offside.
 
Five minutes later the Panthers had multiple chances to even the score but could not capitalize on back-to-back corners. York goalkeeper Colm Vance (Bradford, Ont.) made a pair of tremendous saves to keep his team in front.
 
After those nervous moments the Lions settled the ball again and dominated ball possession for the final 15 minutes of play.
 
Cicchillo was named the player of the game for his strong play in the midfield that included two shots on goal.
 
The Lions will now play in an all-Ontario University Athletics (OUA) final on Sunday at 1pm AT against the McMaster Marauders, who won both of their championship games in penalty kicks to reach the gold-medal contest. The Lions are 2-0-1 against the Marauders this season, including a victory in the OUA final last weekend.