The York University Lions field hockey team kicked off its quest to repeat as OUA champions Saturday afternoon against the Western Mustangs.

While this group may be even younger than last year's championship team – which was very young in its own right – it was a pair of holdovers who supplied the offence for the Lions in a 2-1 victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Lions wasted little time opening the scoring, as Lexi Hannah, one of the members of the Lions leadership corps, found the back of the net off a penalty corner in the fourth minute. That tally put the Lions on top 1-0.
• Then, it was Elyse Ives, now in her second season as a Lion, who extended the lead. She beat keeper Alyssa Evans in the 22nd minute to double the Lions lead to 2-0.
• The Mustangs cut the lead in half in the second half on a goal by Anna Costanzo, but they couldn't complete the comeback and the Lions held on for a 2-1 win.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Lions will have a quick turnaround as they host the McMaster Marauders on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium. Both the 1980 OWIAA and 2022 OUA championship teams will be honoured in pregame ceremonies. The game begins just after 1:00 pm from Alumni Field.