After missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade last season, the York University Lions women's soccer team made its return to the dance Saturday afternoon, as they hosted the Windsor Lancers in the 4 vs. 5 matchup in the OUA West's opening round. 

The Lions were looking to avenge a sweep at the hands of the Lancers in the regular season. Windsor took both ends of a home-and-home in late September, including a 3-1 victory at York Lions Stadium on September 27. 

The first half saw the Lions pour on most of the offence, with York firing seven shots the way of Windsor keeper Izzy Barrette, with four ending up on goal. The Lancers had only one shot in the opening 45 minutes, but the Lancers had a near miss on a ball out ahead of an onrushing Lancer attacker that Charlotte Phillips came out of her net and cleared away. 

Despite York's solid offensive output, they were unable to solve the Lancers as the game remained scoreless at the break.  

The Lancers had a similar play happen early in the second half on a long ball to be run onto by the Lancer attacker, and this time the ball landed right on goal, with Phillips and the Lancer player colliding. Phillips was slow to get up, but remained in the game. 

Meanwhile, York came out firing again in the second half, but could not crack the scoreboard early in the latter 45. Then, in the 68th minute: a breakthrough. York got a corner kick courtesy of the veteran Kalifornia Mitchell. Her attempt went into the middle of the box, up off Nia Fleming-Thompson down to Brianne Desa, who kicked the ball out of mid-air past Barrette to break the deadlock and make it 1-0 York. 

The Lions had some chances to extend their lead, including a chance for the aforementioned Fleming-Thompson in the 78th minute, which would have all but sealed it, but she just missed high over the bar. Windsor had one near miss of their own on a chance right down on goal, but couldn't get a shot off before Phillips smothered it. That was as close as Windsor would get, with the Lions playing lockdown defence over the final 10 minutes plus added time to secure a 1-0 victory and move onto Round 2 of the OUA playoffs. 

LOOKING AHEAD: 

The Lions will now play the Western Mustangs in Round 2. That game will go Wednesday night in London. Stay tuned to yorkulions.ca for updates on kickoff time.