After a weekend that saw the York University Lions go 4-1-1, thanks to a pair of wins by the women's soccer team over Waterloo and wins from men's soccer and women's rugby, the Lions look to build off that momentum in another busy week of action.
The men's soccer team battled back from a 2-0 second-half deficit to tie the Warriors on the final play of the match on Friday, thanks to Daniel Avila banging home his own rebound, while the women took a 2-0 win. The Lions then swept Sunday's rematches in Waterloo, with the men winning 1-0 on a Christian Zeppieri finish and the women winning 3-0 on goals from Sabrina Fabiano, Nia Fleming-Thompson and Alexandra Quaidoo.
Meanwhile, tries from Mistura Are, Alanna Mrkobrada and rookie Jordyn Anderson propelled the women's rugby team to its first win under new head coach Spencer Robinson. The Lions football team played another competitive game in Week 3 against Queen's, out-gaining the Gaels 380-372. However, two missed field goal returns and 21 points off turnovers did the Lions in in a 52-19 loss.
Here's what's happening in the den this week:
WOMEN'S SOCCER:
The Lions women's soccer team still has yet to lose this season, and is trending in the right direction after a pair of victories over the Warriors last weekend. This will be a tough test for York, however, as they face a Gryphons team that also has yet to lose, going 3-0 in its first two matches. The good news for York? Two of Guelph's three wins have come against Waterloo and Algoma. The bad news? Both York's wins have come against Waterloo. This is, as it were, a true measuring stick weekend for both teams. The first of the home-and-home goes Friday in Guelph before at 6:00 pm before coming to York in a rare Monday nighter from York Lions Stadium at 6:00 pm (tickets), streaming live on OUA.TV.
MEN'S SOCCER:
The men's soccer team, like the women, remain unblemished on the early season, thanks in large part to Avila's last second goal vs. Waterloo last Friday. These match features many similar storylines to those of the women's fixtures, as two undefeated teams go toe-to-toe, with Guelph winning its first three matches. Friday's game in Guelph begins at 8:15, while Monday's match from York Lions Stadium also begins at 8:15 pm (tickets), streaming live on OUA.TV
FOOTBALL:
The Lions football team faces another tough test in the Windsor Lancers. Windsor is a team with Yates Cup aspirations, and while they may not be on par with the Westerns and Lauriers of the world, they present another big challenge for Dexter Janke's Lions. The Lions took some more positive strides in Week 3, despite the 52-19 loss. Their offence was far more consistent – particularly on the ground – rushing for 104 yards after amassing just 57 in the season opener. Windsor, meanwhile, comes in at 2-0 on the season after enjoying the bye in Week 3, but have won their games by a combined seven points, including a walk-off 55-yard field goal at Carleton in Week 2. The game begins Saturday at 4:00 pm from York Lions Stadium (tickets), streaming live on OUA.TV.
WOMEN'S RUGBY
The Lions picked up their first win since Sept. 10, 2022 last weekend with a solid 17-10 victory over the Trent Excalibur. The team now looks to build off that momentum when they travel to London to battle the Mustangs on Sunday afternoon. Western, like the Lions, comes in at 1-1, after beating Laurier 44-7 last weekend. The game begins at 4:00 pm from Western's Alumni Field.
NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
Friday, Sept. 13
MHKY: Lakehead at York (4:00 pm – Canlan Ice Sports)
WHKY: Bishop's at York (7:00 pm – Canlan Ice Sports)
Saturday, Sept. 14
WHKY: Concordia at York (3:00 pm – Canlan Ice Sports)
