For the first time this season, the York University Lions women's soccer team is coming off a loss. They dropped a tough 3-2 decision to the Guelph Gryphons on Sunday, with the winner coming in the 83rd minute. It came after taking a 2-1 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
It was the second straight game the Lions blew a second-half lead to the Gryphons; the game on Friday in Guelph saw the Lions lose a 3-1 lead inside the final six minutes of play and have to settle for a 3-3 draw.
 
They have a great chance to atone for those blown leads this weekend when they welcome a winless Algoma Thunderbirds squad to York Lions Stadium for back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday.
 
The Matchup: York (3-1-2) vs. Algoma (0-6)
 
Game Details:
Saturday Oct. 1 (1:00 pm; OUA.tv)
Sunday Oct. 2 (1:00 pm; OUA.tv)
 
Current Streak:
York – Lost 1
Algoma – Lost 6
 
Quick Facts:
 
York

• After scoring once in their first two games, the Lions have found their offence, scoring 13 times over the last four. 
• Over that span, they have scored at least twice in every game
• The Lions 28 corner kicks rank them 5th in the OUA
• York's six goals against is 4th-fewest in the OUA
• The Lions have registered the 5th-most shots in the OUA (94). 

Algoma

• The Thunderbirds have conceded the most goals in the OUA (31).
• They have the fewest shots (10) in the province, but the highest shooting percentage (.300).
• Their three goals scored is 3rd-worst in the OUA (RMC; Laurentian
• Algoma is one of just four teams without a clean sheet so far this season (Waterloo; RMC; Ont. Tech).

Players To Watch:
 
York

• #3 GIULIANA PAOLELLA 1st-year defender… Despite being a defender, Paolella has shown both a willingness and an ability to attack forcefully…. Her nine shots on target (of 10 taken) rank her tied for 2nd with Nia Fleming-Thompson in that category… Perhaps she's due for her first OUA goal against an Algoma team that has given up the most goals in the province.
• #4 JOTAM CHOUHAN: 4th-year midfielder… Took the Gryphons to task  last weekend, scoring her first goal of the year in Friday's 3-3 draw, and then supplying the entire Lions offence in the Lions 3-2 loss to Guelph on Sunday… Was named York female athlete of the week for the week ending Sept. 25.

Algoma

• # 21 LEIGHA NIPPARD: 4th-year midfielder… Has been one of the lone bright spots for the Thunderbirds this season… Has scored two of their three goals on the year, coming against Western and Laurier.