The No. 4 nationally-ranked York University Lions women's soccer team defeated the No. 10 Western Mustangs 1-0 in their final regular-season game of the year on Sunday (Oct. 23) to finish first in the OUA West standings for the second straight year.
 
The top spot in the division came down to the winner of Sunday's game and the home team did not disappoint, handing the previously undefeated Mustangs their only loss of the season. The team's fifth-year graduating student-athletes were also honoured before the game and they were sent out in style with the victory.
 
The first half did not hold much action for either team as the ball stayed outside of each team's box for the most part. However, the Lions did have one very close call in the sixth minute when a flock of Western players grouped up directly in front of the net and began to violently swing at the ball; they could not make it past York goalkeeper Taylor Grant (Brampton, Ont.).  
 
The second half consisted of back and forth exchanges of possession with a few close calls on both nets.
 
The Lions found their spark when the 0-0 deadlock was broken with a beautiful goal by Nour Ghoneim (Aurora, Ont.) in the 63^rd minute. Ghoneim gained possession of the ball around the top of the 18-yard box and then put just the right amount of curve on the ball to beat the goalkeeper from left to right. The goal was one that Ghoneim will remember forever and was a great way to go out in style in her final regular season game as a Lion.
 
The goal would end up being the only major of the match as the Lions closed out the game with exceptional defence. The defensive effort was highlighted in the dying moments of the game when the Mustangs had one last attempt to tie the score on a high arching shot that was snatched out of the air by Grant, one of four saves on the afternoon.
 
The Lions have clinched a first-round bye and their next game will take place on Sunday (Oct. 30) when they play an opponent that still has to be determined. The game will be an OUA quarter-final match and will take place at Alumni Field at 1pm.