Men's Soccer | 8/28/2025 9:52:00 AM
As a perennial powerhouse, expectations never waver. The York University Lions men's soccer team knows just that, and is back for 2025 looking to get over the hump.
The Lions open their 2025 season Thursday night at York Lions Stadium, hosting the Laurier Golden Hawks in the 2025 York Orientation Game Presented by Domino's Pizza, kicking off off a home-and-home series with a team they have owned in recent history.
York is unbeaten in their last 33 matches against the Hawks dating back to 2006 (including post-season). The Lions have beaten Laurier in 12 of their last 13 meetings, dating back to a 1-1 draw in October 2015. The lone non-victory in that time for York came in 2023, a 1-1 draw on Sept. 1 in Waterloo.
The Lions are bringing back an experienced roster, headed by none other than two-time defending OUA West MVP and reigning U SPORTS men's soccer player of the year, Christian Zeppieri. He, along with fellow OUA all-stars Ryan Robinson and Yigal Bruk, who were both named all-stars as OUA rookies, are back in the fold looking to remain key contributors to a team with national title aspirations.
The Lions will also bring back Alessio Carbone in goal for what is likely his final year at York. Carbone, also a 2024 OUA all-star, will be the last line of defence once again for the Lions in 2025. Carbone was fifth in the province in save percentage last season (.800) and fourth in goals against average (0.88). Flanked by a couple first-year Lions between the pipes, Carbone figures to carry the load once again for the red and white.
After coming off their first national medal – a bronze – since winning it all on home turf in 2015, the Lions are looking to take that next step and play in the final U SPORTS soccer game of the season. Having been to the OUA title game in 10 of the last 11 seasons, the program has plenty to hang their hat on. However, having lost four straight appearances in the final, that is another hurdle the Lions will look to clear this season.
They are positioned to do just that, and as head coach Carmine Isacco said in the season preview, they will have to be at their best when they need to be at their best – in the biggest matches and at the most important moments of those games. The Lions were at their best for a vast majority of last season, but those slight lapses at the most critical times were the difference between a conference – and perhaps national – title and settling for OUA silver and a national bronze.
While this weekend's games will, in all probability, be far from the biggest tilts the Lions will play this season, they will look to be at their best on this opening weekend and extended their unbeaten streak against Laurier to 35.
Thursday's game begins at 8:15 pm, with Sunday's reacquainting going at 4:15 pm at Laurier. You can get your tickets for Thursday's game here or watch both matches, for free, live on OUA.tv.
