The No. 2 nationally-ranked York University Lions men's soccer team extended their winning streak to nine after a 4-0 win against the Laurier Golden Hawks on Sunday (Sept. 28) at York Stadium. The Lions provided an exciting game in their first match at home since August 31.
 
The team was able to keep possession brilliantly in the first half. Three consecutive corners went the Lions way within 10 minutes of the game.
 
An own goal in the 19th minute by the Hawks gave the Lions the lead. A cross by Henry Moody (Toronto) that was meant for Jarek Whiteman (Brampton, Ont.) fell to a Laurier defender, who heads it into his own net. Moody was credited with his third goal of the season. 
 
The second goal came from Jonathan Lao of Unionville, Ont., in the 25th minute. Lao curled a free-kick that was taken just outside the box and into the net.
 
In the 34th minute, Casey D'Mello (Mississauga, Ont.) made a run down the left wing and laid the ball towards the middle for Whiteman to convert. The goal marks Whiteman's league-leading 11th of the season
 
The second half kicked off to a slower pace for the Lions as the Hawks began putting pressure on the defenders. Colm Vance (Bradford, Ont.) saved a one-on-one attempt by Laurier's Tahrik Rodriques in the 52nd minute. Rodriques was subbed out after falling awkwardly in the aftermath of the collision.
 
Whiteman came close to scoring a second in the 72nd minute, but a Golden Hawks defender denied him by sliding in to deflect the ball wide.
 
Tyrone Downes of Markham, Ont., recorded his first goal of the season with a shot inside the penalty box in the 75th minute.
 
Lions goalkeeper Vance subbed out for Andrew D'Souza (Mississauga, Ont.) in the 78th minute. Neither goalkeepers conceded a goal in the game.
 
With this victory, the Lions take their record to an impressive 10-0-1 as they lead the OUA West standings with 31 points, 10 points ahead of second-place Guelph Gryphons.
 
The Gryphons will visit York in our next game on Saturday (Oct. 4) beginning at 3:15pm.