There may have been a two-year break since the last time they took the field, but the No. 9 nationally ranked York Lions women's soccer team picked up right where they left off Thursday night when they opened their 2021 OUA season with a 1-0 win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks.
It was the Lions' first contest in the new OUA East division, after the conference shuffled its structure ahead of the 2021 season, giving the Lions a new slate of regular season opponents.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- With the first game of the season inevitably comes some statistical firsts, and Lions midfielder Sabrina Fabiano got one she won't forget. The game's opening goal came off her foot, giving the rookie forward her first OUA goal in the 74th minute.
- Jasmine Broderick Bobadilla posted her first career OUA point, drawing the assist on the goal.
- It's all the Lions would need to seal the victory.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- Sabrina Fabiano not only had her first OUA marker, but she also impressed offensively, registering five shots on goal. It was a team-high total, more than doubling any of her veteran teammates.
- Kalifornia Mitchell, Joselyn Gagliardi, and Jotam Chouhan all registered two shots each.
- Patricia Vrysellas impressed in her first OUA game, shutting out Ontario Tech with an eight-save performance.
- Despite allowing the game's only goal, Alicia Chisholm stood tall in net for the Ridgebacks, making 13 saves in the loss.
LOOKING AHEAD
It's a quick turnaround for York, as they hit the road again Saturday to travel to Ottawa to face the No. 4 Gee-Gees for a 2 pm kick-off at Matt Anthony Field in the nation's capital. It's the Lions' first meeting against a ranked opponent, and a rematch of the 2019 OUA semifinal which saw York pull away from heavily favoured uOttawa with an overtime win, en route to an OUA championship.
