The York University Lions field hockey team returned to Alumni Field for a doubleheader against the McGill Martlets on Sunday afternoon, looking to extend their four-game win – and shutout – streak. Meanwhile, McGill was still searching for its first victory of the season, sitting at 0-4.

Match #1:

The first quarter seemed poised to end in a scoreless tie until Kathryn Carlow broke the deadlock, netting her first goal of the season in the final minute. That made it 1-0 Lions entering the second quarter. 

York's offensive poured on three goals in that second. Juliet Redelaar struck first, scoring just one minute into the frame. Aria Thompson followed suit, finding the back of the net shortly after to make it 3-0. Emily Esser capped off the half with 6:30 left in the half, leading to a commanding 4-0 advantage for the Lions at the break. 

The second half began just as quickly for York, with Redelaar adding her second goal of the match just two minutes into the third quarter. Julianna Goddard then increased the Lions' lead to 6-0 just past the midway mark of the quarter. Then, Thompson re-joined the fun with another stellar goal just 3 minutes later, keeping York's momentum going strong and putting them up 7-0. 

The final goal came in the last two minutes of the game, as rookie Tessa Wang made her mark by scoring her first OUA goal, sealing the dominant 8-0 victory for York. With this win, the Lions extended their record to 5-0 with another game still to come on the day.

Match #2:

Following their strong performance in the first game, the Lions carried their momentum into the second match of the doubleheader against the McGill Martlets. 

The Lions wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with Redelaar finding the back of the net just three minutes into the match. Jessica Smith quickly followed, scoring just two minutes later to give York an early 2-0 advantage. With six minutes left in the first quarter, Esser added another goal, and Avery Davis capped off the quarter with a goal of her own, bringing the score to 4-0 after one. 

In the second quarter, Carlow opened the scoring again for York, and Goddard scored right before halftime, increasing the lead to 6-0 at the break. 

The second half saw more of the same from the Lions, starting with Katie Tye scoring an unassisted goal. The offensive onslaught continued with Carlow netting her second goal of the match and third of the day in the 37th minute, followed by another goal from Tye just 20 seconds later. Elise Piper joined the scoring spree with a goal at 41:32, extending York's lead to 10-0. Redelaar capped off the match with her second goal of the game at 57:36, sealing a commanding 11-0 victory for York. 

LOOKING AHEAD: 

The shutout victory for York – their sixth in a row – ties a program record for most consecutive shutouts set in 1979 (their first year of existence) and matched the following year. Coincidentally, both previous occasions were also to start the season.  

They will look to set a new record when they hit the road for a highly anticipated OUA championship rematch against their downtown rivals, the Toronto Varsity Blues. The game will take place on Wednesday, October 9, at 7:00 p.m.