The York University Lions men's soccer team is in unfamiliar territory as the underdog against the No. 9 nationally-ranked McMaster Marauders when the two squads renew their rivalry on Thursday evening in York's annual Frosh Frenzy game at Alumni Field.
 
The Match-up: York (2-2-0) vs. No. 9 McMaster (3-1-0)
 
Game Details
Thursday, Sept. 7 @ 8:15pm, OUA.tv
 
Home/Away Records
York – 1-1-0 at home
McMaster – 0-1-0 on the road
 
Current Streak
York – Won 1
McMaster – Won 1
 
Last Meetings
McMaster is one of York's fiercest rivals and the two squads have played some thrilling games over the last several years, including in back-to-back OUA finals in 2014 and 2015 and the U SPORTS championship in 2014. The Lions have had McMaster's number in the last three years with an 8-0-1 record in their last nine contests (including playoffs) and will look to continue that run on Thursday night. In the first contest last season the Lions won 4-2 after erasing a two-goal deficit in the first half, and the second game ended with the Lions winning 2-0.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
York

• The Lions lost to the No. 3 Guelph Gryphons last week on a goal in the 87^th minute, picking up their second loss of the season. It is the first time since 2013 the Lions have lost twice in the regular season. They bounced back against Laurier on Sunday, however, with a dominant 4-0 win.
• The Lions started the season with a 1-0 loss to Western but earned a 2-0 victory over Windsor the next day, a contest in which they outshot the Lancers 24-0 and forced Windsor's  goalie to make 15 saves.
• For the first time since Week 6 in 2010, the Lions are not in the U SPORTS national rankings after falling out this week. Their streak ended at 59 straight polls.
• As part of their weekend schedule, the Lions will play a rematch against the Golden Hawks on Friday night in Waterloo, Ont.

 
McMaster

• The Marauders are 3-1-0 to start the season thanks to wins over Waterloo, Laurier and Windsor and a loss to Western on the road.
• The Marauders are the highest-scoring team in the OUA after two weeks of the season with 12 goals in four games. That total includes a six-goal outburst in their season opener against the Warriors.
• McMaster's appearance in the national rankings this week, at No. 9, marks the first time they've been in the top 10 since the second week of last season, when they sat at No. 7 following a 2-0-1 start.

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
F Cristian Cavallini – The reigning OUA West rookie of the year is York's male athlete of the week after scoring three goals against Laurier. He was York's leading scorer last year and this season is ranked fifth in the OUA after two weeks.
 
M Dylan Carreiro – The former U20 Canadian team captain has been tremendous in his debut season with the Lions. He scored his first goal against Laurier and has nine total shots on goal.
 
McMaster
 
S Dusan Kovacevic – Leads the Marauders and is tied for fifth in the OUA with three goals this season, including two against Windsor in their most recent contest.
 
M Yunus Mollayev – An OUA West first-team all-star last year after leading the Marauders with eight goals and 11 points. He has played in two games this year and has one goal.