With the calendar turned to October, the York University Lions are well into the swing of things, with fall sport playoff races heating up and two-term sports on the horizon.
The Lions men's soccer team swept two games against the Windsor Lancers last weekend, while the women's team were swept by the squad from the border city. Meanwhile, the football team dropped a tightly-contested tilt to the Carleton Ravens, the women's rugby team fell in heartbreaking fashion to the McMaster Marauders, and the field hockey team picked up two shutout wins over Western and McMaster, and have still not conceded a goal through four games. Finally, the cross country team posted an eighth place finish at the Don Mills Open in Waterloo.
Here's what's happening in the den this week:
MEN'S HOCKEY
The men's hockey team opens its season against the RMC Paladins for a second straight season, this time in the first of two this weekend in Kingston. The Lions aim to compete for a playoff spot in a talent-laden OUA East after a tough first season in the East division which saw them win only three times. York will play the Paladins Friday evening before heading down the street to battle the Queen's Gaels on Saturday night. The opener at RMC goes at 7:00 pm, with the Queen's game beginning at 7:30. Both games are streamed live on OUA TV.
FOOTBALL
The Lions football team looks to rebound off a hard-fought 24-10 loss last weekend at Carleton when they host the winless Waterloo Warriors on Saturday. The Lions come in at 1-4 and sit on the outside of a logjam for the seventh and final playoff spot in the OUA. York can't enter the playoff picture with a win, as Ottawa and Carleton play each other in the annual Panda Game on Sunday, but they can do their playoff push a favour. A loss all but ends any postseason hopes, but York will look for its first home win since 2019 in what should be another competitive day of football. It is also Homecoming Day at York Lions Stadium, with several program alums expected to be on hand. That includes Shawn Stone, the former Chair of the York Football Alumni Association who played at York from 1981-84 and volunteered with the program for several years, who will be on hand to conduct the pre-game coin toss. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm. You can get your tickets here or stream the game live on OUA TV.
WOMEN'S RUGBY
Despite a tough loss last week that hurt their playoff chances, the Lions women's rugby team still controls their own destiny in the final game of the regular season. The task is simple for York: win and you're in. The Lions host the Toronto Varsity Blues in the regular season finale on Saturday evening at Alumni Field. As fate would have it, the Lions sit a point behind the Varsity Blues for the sixth and final OUA playoff spot. A win on Saturday night means the Lions would leapfrog their city rivals into the sixth spot and make the OUA playoffs for the first time since 2019. The game is scheduled to start at 5:00 pm from Alumni Field. Admission is free.
FIELD HOCKEY
One might say things have gone quite well for the Lions field hockey team. Through the first four games, they have not allowed a goal and outscored their opponents 13-0. This weekend, they get set to host the McGill Martlets in a doubleheader on Sunday. They come in 0-4, having scored just three goals in those first four games. York has owned McGill on the pitch in recent years, having won 12 straight games over the Quebec-based squad since 2015. They haven't lost outright to the Martlets since 2011 when York won just once. Game times from Alumni Field are 11:00 and 3:00 pm. Admission is free to both games.
NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
Friday, Oct. 4
WVB: York at Toronto (6:00 pm)
MVB: MacEwan at York (7:00 pm – Tait McKenzie Centre)
WHKY: York at Western (7:00 pm)
Saturday, Oct. 5
WBB: McGill at York (4:00 pm – Tait McKenzie Centre)
WHKY: York at Windsor (4:00 pm)
MVB: MacEwan at York (8:00 pm – Tait McKenzie Centre)
