The No. 2 nationally-ranked York University Lions women's soccer team started its run in the OUA playoffs with a 3-0 victory over the Guelph Gryphons in their quarter-final game at York Stadium on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 1).
 
Coming off hot from the regular season with a 15-0-1 record and two wins against the Gryphons in their last two meetings, the Lions were deemed the favourites heading into the match and they did not disappoint, scoring three goals in the second half to reach the OUA Final Four Championships for the first time since 2009.
 
The Lions completely dominated the first half with 11 shots on goal as opposed to just zero by the Gryphons. Windy conditions denied goals from Charlene D'Mello (Mississauga, Ont.) and Sydney Hoareau (Brampton, Ont.), but the points would come in the second half when the Lions broke through with relentless attack.
 
Opening the scoring in the 65^th minute was Colleen Beesley (Richmond Hill, Ont.), who bullied a few Gryphons around in the box before striking through the ball and crashing the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
 
Following with a second goal five minutes later was Sarah Wong (Scarborough, Ont.). After making a darting run towards Gryphons goalkeeper Holly Miller, Wong got herself into a dangerous area to place the ball into the near post and secure a 2-0 lead.
 
Then in the 78^th minute Wong was back for more at the top of the box to finish off the Gryphons with a third goal. Executing off of a first-timed volley, Wong put the game to rest and finalized the 3-0 win.
 
Taylor Grant (Brampton, Ont.) also grabbed her first shutout of the post-season, making two saves to keep the Lions in the game.
 
With the 3-0 win, the Lions have now advanced into the OUA semifinals that will kick off on Saturday (Nov. 7) at the University of Ottawa. The Lions will face off against the OUA East's Queens Gael's (7-2-7) at 11am in Ottawa.