The York University Lions football team suffered a narrow defeat by a score of 18-10 at the hands of the Laurier Golden Hawks in its home opener at Alumni Field on Labour Day Monday.
 
It was defensive battle from start to finish as the two teams combined to put up just 613 total yards of offence and the 28 points. Defensive back Talik Ehouman and linebacker Damian Jamieson led the Lions with 7.5 tackles each, while defensive lineman Kwadwo Boahen was dominant all afternoon with four tackles, including 3.5 for a loss of 13 yards, and 1.5 sacks.

Laurier's defensive leader was Brad Cowan with seven tackles, a half sack and one pass break-up.


  
The Lions got pinned in their end early and conceded a safety for the first points of the game. The 2-0 score held until just before the end of the opening quarter, when Nathan Mesher converted a 27-yard field goal for a 5-0 Laurier lead.
 
It was short-lived, however, as Alex Daley had the most electric play of the game. He fielded a punt on his own 28-yard line, evaded multiple tackles, came across the field and returned the ball all the way to the end zone for a touchdown to make the score 7-5 for the home team.
 
Another Mesher field goal and one by York kicker Dante Mastrogiuseppe put the score at 10-8 at the half.
 
Laurier retook the lead midway through the third quarter when Kevin Wong ran it 22 yards for the major and a 15-10 score. The Lions were unable to add any more points and the Golden Hawks added another field goal with three seconds left to round out the scoring.
 
York quarterback Brett Hunchak completed 12-of-31 passes for 129 yards, while his Laurier counterpart, Connor Carusello, finished 17-for-29 for 221 yards and one interception. Luther Hakunavanhu had four catches for 69 yards, and Darnel Jarrett, in his first game with the Lions, put up 85 rushing yards on 15 carries.
 
Ente Eguavoen was Carusello's favourite target, catching eight balls for 120 yards, and Leovondre Gordon had 133 rushing yards on 24 carries.
 
The Lions have a short week and will get right back to it on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Guelph, Ont., to face the Gryphons. Their next home game is the following Saturday (Sept. 14) against the McMaster Marauders. Kick-off for both games is set for 1pm.