Over their next two games, the No. 4 nationally ranked York University Lions men's soccer team will gain tons of familiarity with the RMC Paladins side, as they engage in a home-and-home series against the military college, beginning with games this Thursday at Terrain Navy Bay Field in Kingston, Ont.
The Match-up: No. 4 York (1-1) vs. RMC (0-4)
Game Details
Thursday, Oct. 7 @ 6pm, OUA.tv
Saturday, Oct. 9 @ 3pm, OUA.tv
Home/Away Records
York – 1-0 at home
RMC – 0-2 on the road
Current Streak
York – Won 1
RMC – Lost 4
Last Meetings
York and RMC have not been regular opponents in recent years, but do play this season due to a divisional realignment that features York joining the OUA East to play a new slate of schools this season, including Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario Tech, Trent and Queen's.
Their most recent regular season contest came just under 32 years ago, where York defeated RMC by a score of 2-0 on Oct. 22, 1989.
QUICK FACTS
York
- After dropping their first regular season game since 2017 to Ontario Tech on Sept. 23, the Lions rebounded with a victory against the very same Ridgebacks on home turf last Thursday, Sept. 30, dispatching their new regional rivals 2-0.
- Merci Yuma led the way for York offensively, tallying the Lions' second goal on a penalty, registering an assist on Soji Olatoye's game-opening goal and leading the Lions with five shots on goal.
- After registering a loss in his first start as a Lions keeper, George Tzimas bounced back by registering five saves to earn his first OUA win.
RMC
- In a start which has included two games against No. 2 Carleton, RMC has been outscored 17-1 in their first games of the 2021 season.
- In their most recent 8-0 loss to Carleton, their starting keeper Hunter Adams was unavailable due to receiving a red card the night earlier during the Friday 5-1 loss to the Ravens.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
York
Merci Yuma
Fourth-year forward … York's top scorer with two goals and one assist in two games this season … Won York male athlete of the week award for the period ending Oct. 3 after recording a goal, an assist and four shots during the Sept. 30 win over Ontario Tech … Reigning top scorer for York, marking 14 points during 2019, well clear of his teammates … Former professional player who earned a fourth division championship in Portugal with FC Electrios.
Soji Olatoye
Fourth-year midfielder … Scored the game-opening marker in the Sept. 30 contest versus Ontario Tech, which ultimately stood as the game-winner … Transferred from the NCAA's La Salle Explorers … In 2018, led the team in goals (six), points (13), shots (24), shots on goal (14) and game-winning goals (two) and earned conference all-star honours
Omar Marzouk
Fourth-year forward … Registered two shots in 2-0 win over Ontario Tech on Sept. 30 … Fourth-year player has made large playoff contributions for the Lions … Had one goal in 2019, the second tally in the semifinal win over Toronto, and added an assist at the 2019 national tournament.
RMC
Hunter Adams
Starting goalkeeper for the Paladins returning from absence versus Carleton … Has an 0-3 record with a 4.20 goals against average and .682 save percentage on the 2021 season … Limited the Ravens to five goals in his appearance against them on Oct. 1 … Made six saves in a 1-0 loss to Trent on Sept. 26.
