The Pride has peaked.
The York University Lions have climbed the U SPORTS men's soccer mountain for the sixth time in program history – and isn't it fitting who led them to the top.
A 116th–minute marker from the spot by three-time OUA West MVP, 2024 U SPORTS player of the year and, now, U SPORTS Championship MVP Christian Zeppieri, awarded as a result of a hand ball, served as the match's only tally, capping off an all-time classic marked by a snow-covered pitch, two shovel breaks and a beautiful ending to the most beautiful of games.
"We knew it wouldn't be an issue," head coach Carmine Isacco said after the championship celebration. "We played some good football, given the circumstances,"
The victory is York's first national title since 2015, when they won it on home turf at Alumni Field. Now, about 25 minutes down line one, the Lions are champions again.
"It's been a long time," Isacco said. "We're going to enjoy this moment, because there's been a lot of struggles (to get here)."
York's two best early chances of the first half came within seconds of each other in the 15th minute. First, a shot by Matthew Fischer went just wide of the net right along the outside twine, fooling those in the crowd into thinking it was in. Then, off the ensuing corner kick from Christian Zeppieri, a header from Anthony Morano went right into the hands of Mount Royal keeper Sjard Strauss.
The Royals had an opportunity moments later to tie, but Chanan Chanda's shot from an angle went through the crease, keeping the game level. A shovel break in the 29th minute halted play, with a steady snow continuing to fall to the Varsity Stadium turf. Once play resumed, the Lions owned most of the possession time. In the 43rd minute, Morano led Fischer with a feed, but his shot from distance was stopped by Strauss.
Despite generating the lion's share of the scoring opportunities, York was unable to break through, and the match remained goalless at the break.
Michael Williams made an early-second half stop on Finn Marshall in the 49th minute. Three corners by Zeppieri within just a minute of each other provided the Lions with multiple chances to take the lead, but they could not convert. In the 58th minute, Anthony Aromatario was taken down on the box by the Cougars Skyler Rogers. That brought Zeppieri to the spot for the second time in the tournament, but he was robbed by Strauss, who made a sprawling save to keep the Cougars even.
While York continued to dominate the midfield and control the pace of play, they were still looking for the go-ahead goal when Fischer had a chance from close range that he again fired wide, entangling the ball in the side twine. The Royals began to pick up their offensive pace as the second half rolled on, generating several chances up the pitch to take the lead, but Lions keeper Michael Williams was solid in goal, as was the Lions defence in the box to limit high-danger chances.
The full 90 came and went with nothing on the scoreboard, sending the match to extra time.
The Cougars had the two best chances of the first half of extra time. In the opening minute, Tim Beckedahl was turned aside by Williams, who made one of his best saves of the game. Then, in the final minute, Luka Patik sent a long free kick toward goal and Williams punched it just over the bar.
The second half of extra time provided the goal that will live in Lions lore, as the second penalty of the day awarded to the Lions – this one for a hand ball off a Fischer shot from just inside the box – sent Zeppieri to the spot for the second time in the game. After Strauss got the better of him earlier in the match, this time the championship MVP made no mistake, scoring his fourth of the championship and sealing the Lions first national title in 10 years.
Zeppieri led the tournament with four goals, scoring in each of his team's three matches.
"Zepp's is our leader," Isacco said of his captain. "He leads by example and he's just an incredible human being on top of everything else."
In addition to Zeppieri winning the tournament MVP and being named a championship all-star, Williams and Fischer joined him on the tournament's all-star team. Fischer had several chances to score and was an important piece of the Lions offensive attack, while Williams made 20 saves on 21 shots in the championship, including clean sheets in the national semi against Montreal and Sunday's final to help his team grab gold.
"It feels amazing – words can't even describe it," Zeppieri said. "We've worked so hard all year, and I'm so proud of everyone."
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will bask in the glory of a national, and prepare for 2026, looking to defend their crown at the national tournament in Victoria, B.C. next November.
