The York University Lions women's soccer team enters 2024 looking to escape uncharted waters. After missing the playoffs in 2023 for the first time in a decade, the Lions return to the pitch ready to return to the dance.
The Lions were bitten by the injury bug more than their fair share of times last year, and, thus, struggled at times to find offence. The Lions scored only 16 goals in their 12 matches, 13th in the OUA. That inability to score goals was the catalyst of the Lions downfall, as they only won two matches in 2023, while earning an OUA-high six draws.
"Considering last year with a lot of injuries we would like to obviously get better results and turn those ties into wins and score more goals," said assistant coach Luca Forno.
The Lions will once again rely heavily on their lone all-star from 2023 – Maia Torelli, who was named to the OUA West second team.
"We'll look for Maia to continue her form, and look to big things from Bianca Jack and Sabrina Fabiano who look to be at full fitness this season."
As for the new recruiting class, the biggest name is actually a former Lion – 2022 OUA West Rookie of the Year and first team all-star Nia Fleming-Thompson. The Mississauga, Ont. native spent last season in the NCAA after leading the Lions in goals with nine in 2022, a total good for fifth in the OUA.
Among the other incoming recruits is Brianne Desa, who comes to the Lions from Vaughan SC of League1 Ontario. She also brings with her plenty of international experience as a member of the Guyanese women's national program. A teammate of Desa's in Vauughan will also join the fold at York in 2024 – Hope Windebank. While new to the Lions, the native of Markham, Ont., is not, however, new to the OUA. She spent five years with the Laurier Golden Hawks from 2018-2022, and was named an OUA second-team all-star in her final season with the Hawks.
While returning to the postseason is the primary goal, there are other things – both on the field and off – that constitute success. For this group, Forno says it's about gaining exposure to the new Northern Super League, while also prioritizing community involvement and academic prosperity.
"We want girls to be exposed to the new pro league and make an impact on the community," he said. "And we just want to put the best product of ourselves in the classroom and on and off the field, while being involved in the community."
The Lions welcome the McMaster Marauders to York Lions Stadium on Friday night at 6:00 pm in the first of three straight home matches to begin 2024. Then, on Sunday, Windebank's old team, the Laurier Golden Hawks, will pay a visit, with kickoff slated for 1:00 pm.
