Men's Soccer | 11/11/2025 4:23:00 PM

After his national-championship-winning goal and U SPORTS Championship MVP performance last weekend, York University Lions men's soccer player Christian Zeppieri has been named an OUA Athlete of the Week for the period ending Nov. 9.

Zeppieri, a third-year accounting student from Maple, Ont., was named one of four conference athletes of the week, the OUA announced Tuesday afternoon, after helping propel the Lions to their first U SPORTS championship in a decade. The three-time OUA West MVP netted a tournament-leading four goals, scoring in each of York's three games en route to the title – the sixth in program history.

Undoubtedly the biggest goal of the four – and, surely, of Zeppieri's life – came in the 116th minute Sunday against Mount Royal. The Lions were awarded a penalty after the official ruled a hand ball in the box off a Matthew Fischer shot, and Zeppieri stepped up to the spot for the second time in the game. After being robbed on an earlier penalty, this time the star midfielder made no mistake, burying the winner – and the game's lone goal. In so doing, Zeppieri solidified his aforementioned championship MVP award, while even further secured his place among York men's soccer's greatest all-time.

"Zepp's our leader," head coach Carmine Isacco said after Sunday's gold medal match. "He leads by example and is just an incredible human being on top of everything else."

Overall, Zeppieri finishes the 2025 campaign with 13 goals, including the postseason. That includes one in penalties against Carleton to help send the Lions to the OUA title game and qualify for the U SPORTS championship they would eventually win.

"It feels amazing – words can't even describe it," Zeppieri said after scoring the winner. "We've worked so hard all year, and I'm so proud of everyone."