A brisk Saturday evening saw the York University Lions field hockey team face off against the McMaster Marauders from Alumni Stadium in Hamilton.  

The Lions entered at 3-0, with all three wins coming via shutout. McMaster, meanwhile was trying to avoid dropping to 1-3 on the young season. York came in off a 5-0 win Friday night over Western, while the Marauders fell 3-1 to the Toronto Varsity Blues. 

The Lions continued their trend of scoring early in matches, picking up right where they left off on Friday on a fourth-minute goal by Katie Tye, giving York to a 1-0 lead in the 1st period, a lead they held at halftime following a scoreless second.  

The Lions doubled their lead early in the third, as Tye netted her second goal of the game off a penalty corner in the 32nd minute. The Lions controlled the majority of ball possession throughout the game, spending much of the of night in McMaster territory and outshooting the home side 9-2. 

The fourth quarter was when the Lions truly sealed their win, with a goal by the Lion's ever-hungry Emily Esser, who had a solid game for the visitors, in the 47th minute extending the Lions lead to 3-0. As was the trend in this game, and this season, York's defence continued to be lights out, shutting down any scoring opportunities from the Marauders, only allowing a mere two shots (none on target) in the match. 

A late goal by York rookie Elma Arsalan – her first OUA tally – made the final 4-0 Lions, continuing their impressive start to the 2024 campaign. The Lions sit atop the OUA field hockey table, six points clear of the Queen's Gaels in the OUA East and four points up on their next closest competitor, the Guelph Gryphons. 

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Lions will look to continue their flawless start to the season when they host the McGill Martlets for two games on Sunday, October 6th. The first game begins at 11:00 am, with the second taking place at 3:00 pm.