The York University Lions women's soccer team survived the Guelph Gryphons in the quarter-final after co-athlete of the week Joselyn Gagliardi's winner in penalty kicks. 
 
Thanks to that, the red and white are just one win away from a trip to the U SPORTS national championship, and two victories shy of an OUA title.
 
If they're going to complete either task, they'll need to beat the OUA's top seed, the Queen's Gaels. Queen's finished the regular season tied for the conference lead in wins (9), and leading in points (33), goals (45), and assists (33). 
 
Those numbers are proof the numbers will be in tough, but is it an impossible task? Not at all. We've already seen our share of upsets in OUA playoff soccer this year on both the men's and women's sides. 
 
The Lions have shown an ability to score in bunches at various points throughout the season, and they also have a pretty good defence, something you'll need to dethrone Queen's. York finished tied with Ottawa for the most clean sheets in the OUA with seven, while they had three other games in which they only conceded one goal.
 
Perhaps the biggest positive that has emerged throughout 2022 for the Lions? Depth. They have 14 players with at least one goal this season. While some of those came in mop-up time against inferior competition, it's still something that the Lions have leaned on to be successful. Gagliardi's winner Saturday in a pressure-packed spot in a win-or-go-home postseason match is all the proof you need.
 
While their path to this point has been different, it's clear looking at the numbers these are two of the most talented teams in the province, and it's a shame one will not move on. However, we are in for treat, with both teams' bags of tricks on full display – albeit a couple days after the real trick-or-treaters hit the streets.
 
The Lions and Gaels hit the pitch Wednesday, Nov. 1, with the game set for Richardson Stadium.