The result of a pair of divisional matchups against the No. 9 nationally ranked Queen's Gaels will yield differing results in the Lions' quest for a playoff spot.
Wins will cement their spot amongst the middle of the playoff teams, and potentially give York hosting duties in the first round. Any other result, and the Lions will need some help from their OUA foes to solidify their post season berth in the airtight conference standings.
The Match-up: York (5-2-1) vs. No. 9 Queen's (7-1)
Game Details
Friday, Oct. 29 @ 6pm at York, OUA.tv
Sunday, Oct. 31 @ 1pm at Queen's, OUA.tv
Home/Away Records
York – 3-1 at home, 2-1-1 on the road
Queen's – 4-0 at home, 3-1 on the road
Current Streak
York – Lost 1
Queen's – Won 1
QUICK FACTS
York
- After a weekend without a win in contests at Carleton and versus No. 2 Ottawa, the Lions need points if they look to stay in control of their playoff seeding.
- The Lions have not registered a goal since a 2-0 win over the Trent Excalibur on Oct. 17, when Jotam Chouhan and Kalifornia Mitchell scored.
- The OUA modified their soccer playoff seeding this year, giving division-winners the top three seeds, the second-place teams are slotted fourth to sixth, and the next two best records earn wild card berths as the seventh and eighth seeds.
- Two wins versus Queen's would place the Lions second in the OUA East, however, any other scenario will allow Queen's to earn second place.
- York also must fend off Toronto, who is 5-3 with 15 points, and a slew of west division teams currently battling it out for the top three spots in that division.
Queen's
- No. 7 ranked team in Canada is coming off a split weekend, which included a heartbreaking stoppage time loss to the Ottawa Gee-Gees last Friday.
- They then trounced RMC 5-0 on Sunday, registering an astounding 43 shots with 24 of them reaching the goal. Christie Gray led the way offensively, recording a hat trick.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
York
Maia Torelli: First-year midfielder … Had the best scoring chance of the game for the Lions in a 2-0 loss to Ottawa, where she launched a howitzer just wide of the yawning Gee-Gees net … Fourth on the team with 10 shots … Had two goals and an assist along with four shots in a 4-1 win over Ontario Tech on Sept. 30.
Sabrina Fabiano: First-year midfielder … Tied for seventh in the OUA in shots per game (2.88) with teammate
Jotam Chouhan … Second on the Lions in scoring with two goals, despite being a rookie … Tied for team lead with one game-winning goal … Hails from Woodbridge, Ont.
Patricia Vrysellas: First-year goalkeeper … Tied her season-high for saves with eight in a 2-0 loss to Ottawa on Oct. 24 … Also had eight stops in a Sept. 23 win over Ontario Tech …
Queen's
Christie Gray: Fifth-year striker … Had a hat trick against RMC in her most recent OUA contest on Oct. 24 … Has scored in every regular season game except two (Sept. 26 vs. Carleton, Oct. 22 vs. Ottawa) … Second in the OUA with 5.88 shots per game … Second in the OUA in goals (8) … Third in the conference in game-winners (3)
Cecillia Way: Third-year striker … Had two goals against Carleton on Sept. 25 … Third in the OUA in shots per game (4.13), directly behind teammate Gray … Eighth in the OUA in goals (5).
