Men's Soccer | 10/2/2025 12:00:00 PM
The York University Lions will take on the Brock Badgers in a two-game weekend series beginning Friday at York Lions Stadium in a heavyweight bout between the top two teams in the OUA West, with the Lions holding the top spot.
While York has clinched a playoff spot for the 20th straight season, these two games will go a long way toward deciding whether they will win a division for the 18th consecutive year under head coach Carmine Isacco.
The Lions have found their stride of late, having gone unbeaten in their last seven matches, winning five of them, including a dominant weekend against the Western Mustangs in which they outscored them 9-2 in winning both games. That has vaulted the Lions up into the top spot after being in the third spot and in danger of having the division-championship streak end. Now, with this six-game unbeaten streak has catapulted them into that customary top spot with the ability to control their own fate.
That starts this weekend against a Brock team that has won three of its last five games, including consecutive wins over Western and Windsor. However, these two games will be somewhat of a measuring stick for the Badgers, whose five wins have all come against teams outside the playoff picture. If Brock can beat the Lions in the opener Friday night, they'll move into a tie for top spot with York and potentially Waterloo depending on their result against the McMaster Marauders.
This weekend also provides an interesting matchup in terms of two teams going in similar directions. The Badgers have not allowed a goal in their last two matches, while the Lions have surrendered just two. On the other side of the ball, York has potted nine goals in its last two games, while the Badgers have scored four, including three in their most recent outing. If the Lions can continue to produce at their recent offensive clip, they'll be hard to beat for anyone, but if the Badgers can continue to play a stingy defensive game, that could create issues for the Lions.
To find out what will give between the OUA West's two top dogs, you can get tickets for Friday's 8:15 pm game here or stream both games, including Sunday's 3:15 pm kickoff in St. Catharines, on OUA.tv.
