Field Hockey | 9/18/2025 2:06:00 PM
The York University Lions field hockey team has its eyes on the prize once again in 2025.
After the Lions started last season with a program record-tying six consecutive shutouts, the team finished 8-2 in the regular season, with their only losses coming to the Toronto Varsity Blues. They then lost in a penalty shootout to the Guelph Gryphons in the OUA semi, before flipping the script and winning in a penalty shootout over the host Varsity Blues to claim bronze.
They then hosted the inaugural Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS championships, and after winning their first two round-robin matches, fell 3-0 to the UVic Vikes in the preliminary round finale before dropping a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to the Vikes in the final, settling for the silver medal.
"We came up a little short, but overall it was a successful year, and we want to build on it going forward," head coach Zeeshan Minhas said.
"We look forward to overcoming those shortcomings for the 2025 season."
After losing veteran netminder Jade Lew to graduation over the offseason, the Lions will be on a young tandem of rookies between the pipes in Ella Ciesielski and Alyssa Key to win games.
"She is a really good pickup for us," Minhas said of Ciesielski. "I have very high hopes for Ella stepping into Jade's role and she's going to stand tall for us."
Minhas has always been a strong believer in defensive structure, as evidenced by the fact his team only surrendered three goals all regular season a year ago and only 10 over 16 matches including the postseason.
"Defence requires a lot of effort, and that I believe we control," Minhas said when asked why he places such an emphasis on that side of the ball. "That is our identity, we are aggressive defensively, and we take pride in defence."
The Lions have an experienced group of seniors back this season, and Minhas will be leaning heavily on his veteran talent to play key roles.
"I will be relying on our seniors to step up," he said. "They gained valuable experience last year and the know what we have to do to overcome our shortcomings from last year."
York boasts a strong contingent of fourth-year players in Natalie Brown, Jocelyn Boyd, Avery Davis, Elyse Ives and 2024 OUA all-star and U SPORTS all-Canadian Abby Thompson.
Brown will be a key aspect of the Lions defence corps, while Boyd and Thompson will anchor the Lions midfield line.
Also in the veteran mix are Elise Piper, who recently represented Canadian U21 team at the Pan American Games, as well as 2023 OUA field hockey rookie of the year and 2023-24 York women's rookie of the year Juliet Redelaar, and Kathryn Carlow.
"I believe those (players) stepping into their third years are going to have a breakout year," Minhas said. "I'm really excited about them."
The Lions have a recruiting class of eight for 2025. Among them is defender Sabine Keon, a relative of Toronto Maple Leafs legend David Keon.
They have also brought in a transfer in Gates McAllister out of St. Francis University in the NCAA.
"I believe they're going to be crucial," said Minhas on the aforementioned recruits. "I'm counting on them to step into big roles this season, and I believe they're ready to step in."
Minhas said the recruiting class this year was as much about the feature as the present. The mix of young talent and experience is going to serve the program well now and in the future, says Minhas.
"The experience and leadership is valuable," he said. "It will definitely help get these first years ready and help them understand what it takes to go through an OUA season and what it takes to win.
"The seniors are going to help the first years fit into our culture, and the leadership they bring is going to help them now but in the future as well."
The Lions begin their quest for an OUA and national medal Saturday against the Guelph Gryphons, before travelling to Western on Sunday. They will begin the home portion of the schedule on Sept. 27 vs. McMaster.
