The York University Lions men's soccer team entered Saturday in a position they've become accustomed to over the last decade and a half: entering the OUA playoffs as one of the favourites to win it all. However, this year that position carried with it a little extra, as they looked to atone for a disappointing quarter-final loss last year to the Waterloo Warriors.
This year, the team standing in their way was the Western Mustangs. The teams split their two games this season, with the home team winning both matches. The Lions were hoping that trend would continue in this one.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Lions controlled most of the run of play in the opening half. They were dominant in the first two thirds of the pitch, but some poor execution in the final third, including several offside flags, meant we headed into halftime scoreless.
- The Lions began to find their stride offensively in the second half, generating a number of quality looks, but Western goalkeeper Dino Bontis stood tall, keeping the game level.
- That was until the 82nd minute, when a Matthew Mollicola cross into the box found the boot of Tyler Attardo, and he bounced a shot back across just inside the near-side post to give the Lions a late lead.
- However, the Mustangs weren't finished yet. Thanks to some extended stoppage time due to a late injury, Western's Ibrahim Saadi headed a corner past Alessio Carbone to tie the match at a goal apiece and send us to extra time.
- Then, halfway through the first period of extra time, it was Justin Hendriks springing Maverick Wright up the near side. He sent one into the box that found an open Attardo, who fired in one motion by a sprawling Bontis to restore the Lion lead at 2-1
- With five minutes remaining in extra time, Western had made its closest bid to draw back level. On a long delivery into the box, the ball ended up in a maze of bodies and landed on the foot of Josh Solomon, but somehow Carbone got a hand on it to keep it out and preserve the one-goal lead.
- The Lions locked it down from there, and took the game 2-1, guaranteeing themselves at least a chance at a medal for the first time since 2021.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will now prepare for the crossover portion of the postseason. They will host one of two OUA semi-finals on Wednesday, Nov. 1 against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks. The game will be played at York Lions Stadium at a time yet to be determined. Check yorkulions.ca for updates.