Varsity Athletics | 10/2/2025 10:00:00 AM
As far as regular season games are concerned, it doesn't get much bigger than this.
The York University Lions women's soccer team is sitting tied with the Brock Badgers for the final playoff spot in the OUA West, with both teams at 11 points. The Lions are 3-4-2, while the Badgers are 3-3-2. As fate would have it, the teams face off in a two-game home-and-home series this weekend with a playoff spot on the line.
The Lions are coming off two straight losses to the West-leading Western Mustangs last weekend in which they were unable to score. They will need to rediscover at least some semblance of an offence that had scored nine goals in the previous four matches if they want to solidify a playoff spot.
Two wins over the Badgers would clinch a berth, while one and a draw would go a long way in doing so. If each team wins a game, the Lions would need to beat Algoma in their season finale and have Brock lose at least one (and maybe both) of their final two matches against McMaster. All that said, there remains a scenario where the Lions not only clinch a playoff spot, but host an opening-round game.
If the Lions win out, that will put them at 20 points, while Windsor currently sits third with 19, and plays the undefeated Western Mustangs in their final two matches of the season. McMaster, who is currently fourth with 13 points, still have four games remaining against Waterloo and Brock, putting them in a decent spot to overtake Windsor for third. Should that happen, it opens up a distinct possibility for the Lions – should they take care of their own business – to finish as high as fourth, or potentially even third with some help, and host a game in Round 1.
However, there is lots to be taken care of before playoff scenarios are finalized, and that starts with the two biggest games of the Lions season. Should York lose both games to the Badgers, they would be eliminated from contention unless Laurier or McMaster go winless in their remaining matches and York beats winless Algoma in the finale.
In sports, it's long been said that it's not necessarily about who you play, but when you play them, and the Lions are perhaps catching the Badgers at a good time. Since beating Algoma twice to open the season, the Badgers have just a single win since, which came against the Waterloo Warriors. While York is coming off a tough weekend, as mentioned, they have played well overall as of late, having lost just once in their previous five games.
The other piece of good news for York: they control their own destiny. If they take care of business this weekend, they will be in the playoffs, as even if they and Brock finish tied, York would win the head-to-head tiebreaker. Thus, despite being on the edge of the playoff picture as of now, a strong finish to the season would do wonders for York as they look to not only make the playoffs, but make some noise in the playoffs.
Friday's match at York Lions Stadium begins at 6:00 pm, while Sunday's rematch in St. Catharine's kicks off at 1:00 pm. You can get tickets for Friday's game here and stream both matches live, free of charge on OUA.tv.
