On Wednesday the No. 10 nationally ranked York University Lions women's soccer team scarcely defeated the Waterloo Warriors in their OUA first-round playoff game at Alumni Field with a score 1-0.
 
In the first half the suspense was high and both teams were hungry for a win. The Lions and the Warriors had multiple attempts to score. Catherine Umolac had a fantastic cross in the Warriors 18-yard box but was unfortunately picked off by the goalkeeper. Moments later the Warriors had a free kick in a dangerous position which was fortunately saved by Lions goalkeeper Danitza Indacochea.
 
The Lions gave the Warriors a run for their money with many attempts on net in the first half. Kiyani Johnson had a break but was unfortunately saved stopped by the Warriors goalkeeper once again. Later on, Vanessa Salvaggio had a great shot on net and was once again saved from the Warriors goalkeeper. Both teams played strong defence as they were both under pressure to get on the scoreboard first, finishing the first half with a tie score of 0-0.
 
The tension between the Lions and Warriors was thick going into the second. Marissa Castellano had a breath-taking shot on net that narrowly went wide in the 49^th minute. The Warriors came back with a strong counterattack with a header, fortunately the shot went wide as well.
 
The Lions were first to crack the scoreboard with a dizzying goal from Castellano, with an assist from her teammate Johnson in the 54^th minute of the game. The Warriors were desperate to add a goal of their own with a bouncing ball in the Lions 18- yard box, which was picked off by Indacochea. Less than a minute later defender Joselyn Gagliardi played a wicked ball across the Warriors net but unfortunately no one was there to put the ball in the back of the net.
 
Within the final seconds of the game the Warriors had a corner kick, and in a Hail Mary attempt had their players including the goalie push up into the Lions 18-yard box. But with no avail they weren't able to tie the game.
 
The Lions had a total of seven shots on net opposed to the Warriors six, which were all saved by Indacochea giving her the cleansheet.
 
With this win the Lions advance to the quarterfinals and will play against the Guelph Gryphons away at the Gryphon soccer Complex on Sunday at 1pm.