What's old is new again.
The York University Lions field hockey team is headed back to the OUA championship for the second consecutive season – this time to be played on home turf – after a thrilling 3-1 triumph over the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday at Alumni Field.
In what was a rematch of the 2022 OUA semi, the Lions authored a similar result. Last year, it was a Lexi Hannah goal that sent the Lions to the championship game. This year, the Lions struck twice early and rode the momentum to victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Just three minutes into the contest, the Lions broke the scoreless tie from an unlikely source. Kathy Carlow found the back of the net for the first time all season to make it 1-0 Lions.
- Then, just over three minutes later, Elise Piper doubled the lead, and just over six minutes in, York led 2-0.
- The Gryphons got one back courtesy of a lucky bounce just before halftime as Ella Rideout sliced the Lion lead to one, 2-1, at the break.
- In the opening minute of the fourth quarter, the other Elyse, Ives, gave the Lions their two-goal lead back as she beat Maryam Maamoun to make it 3-1 Lions.
- York was able to nurse the lead the rest of the way home effectively, as they sent the Gryphons packing in a 3-1 decision.
LOOKING AHEAD:
With their win plus a thrilling double-overtime road win from the Toronto Varsity Blues over Waterloo, the OUA championship will be decided between the Toronto rivals once again. The game will be held next Saturday at 1:00 pm from Alumni Field. The winner will host the winner of Sunday's UBC-UVic Canada West regular season finale in the best-of-three U SPORTS championships beginning Nov. 3,
