Box Score NARI AMARSANAA // yorkulions.ca
It was a clash of the titans Wednesday night at Alumni Field, as the York University Lions field hockey team hosted No. 1 nationally-ranked Toronto Varsity Blues – but it was the visitors who came out on the winning side of the score.
While York and Toronto entered the game tied for first place in the OUA with 16 points each, Toronto ended up with a 3-1 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first quarter ended scoreless with both teams carefully testing each other's defenses. Neither team created a clear-cut scoring chance.
- In the second quarter, Toronto's leading scorer Sam McCrory opened the scoring after the Varsity Blues earned a penalty corner following a foul by York's Natalie Brown, making it 1-0 Blues.
- Toronto continued to carry the play in the second as their attacks kept the Lions on their toes. However they persevered with Prava Sandhu and Jewel Lew making several important defensive plays
- The Lions' perseverance paid off when York forward Mackenzie Gee added an equalizer after controlling the ball in a silky fashion to beat the defender and the goalie as she added another goal to her season's tally.
- But the fans' celebrations were short lived. Toronto was able to convert from another penalty corner, this time Emily Ziraldo getting on the scoresheet to take the lead for the Blues once again.
- In the third quarter Toronto looked to double their advantage by relentlessly attacking. However York's keeper Serena Vilde was up to the task, keeping the Lions in the game.
- With five minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Lions roared back, looking for a goal but an attempt from Gee went just wide
- Minutes later, Toronto bounced out of the Lions' pressure and doubled their lead over York after a powerful shot from Ziraldo, who grabbed her second of the match.
LOOKING AHEAD
Despite the match result, the Lions showed improvements from their previous meeting with the Varsity Blues. York is now set to face off against the McMaster Marauders.
The match is set to be played on Wednesday, October 12, at 7 pm in Hamilton, Ont.
