The York University Lions men's soccer team had a quick turn around for their Friday afternoon game in the U SPORTS national championship consolation game against the UQTR Patriotes.

On Thursday evening the Lions put up a convincing battle against the #1 ranked Mount Royal Cougars before falling to a late, 90th minute goal to send the Cougars through. The Lions were determined to bounce back against the Patriotes and land themselves one more game, battling for the 5th spot on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Lions started the game strong with Agostino Principato and Christian Zeppieri challenging Patriotes keeper, Mathieu Lacharite, within the first 8 minutes of action.
• Tyler Attardo looked to get on the board for the Lions with a couple of close range chances in the 30th minute, collecting his own rebound after hitting the crossbar and then sending his second attempt high.
• Heading scoreless into the second half, the game picked up right where it left off with York leading the charge. Two opening attempts again from Principato and Zeppieri set the tone for the next 45 minutes.
• York's Stefano Pantaleo saw his first glimpse of action in the 59th minute. UQTR got close to goal a few times but sprayed the ball everywhere but the target.
• Both teams created back and forth rushes, not being able to generate the go ahead goal resulting in a 0-0 regular time finish. Over time did not provide enough time to produce a winner, forcing the game into penalty kicks.
• Isaac Bradbury was the first Lion up, leveling the score 1-1 before Pantaleo made a save, however a re-kick was required and the Patriotes took the lead back.
• York found themselves playing catch up as UQTR got the 3-1 go ahead, but Attardo and Zeppieri netted their attempts home, while Pantaleo made back-to-back saves evening the score 3-3.
• All eyes were on Gabe Poles as he stepped up to the dot; a goal and the Lions won, a miss and sudden death rounds were required. Whistling one past Lacharite for the game winner, Poles goal advanced his York squad to battle it out for 5th place.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Lions will quickly regroup for their matchup against the St. Francis Xavier X-Men of the AUS on Saturday, Nov. 11. The game kicks off at 12pm EST.