The York University Lions women's soccer team fought hard on home turf against the undefeated Guelph Gryphons on Friday night, but a 67th-minute strike by Ella Cahill lifted the Guelph Gryphons to a narrow 1–0 victory at York Lions Stadium.
Guelph applied heavy pressure in the opening five minutes, earning three quick corner kicks and testing York goalkeeper Charlotte Phillips early with a shot by Rebecca Draeger in the fourth minute. The Gryphons continued to push forward with attempts from Avery Rogerson and Olivia Stavropoulos, but the Lions backline stood firm.
York began creating some offence midway through the first half. Sabrina Fabiano sent an attempt toward goal in the 19th minute that sailed high, and Mia Aguiar forced a save from Guelph goalkeeper Jo Mazier in the 26th minute. The Gryphons delivered additional set piece opportunities late in the half, with Phillips making another save on Draeger in the 32nd minute. Tensions picked up just before the half time when York's Nia Fleming-Thompson was shown a yellow card in the 43rd minute, as both teams headed to the locker rooms tied 0-0.
The action picked up in the second frame as both sides exchanged early threats. York's attack tested Mazier in the 49th minute, but she was equal to the task. Meanwhile, Phillips made a key save on Olivia Rizakos in the 53rd to keep the score level. Guelph broke the tie in the 67th minute, however, when Ella Cahill scored to give the Gryphons a 1-0 lead with just 23 minutes to play.
York pushed hard for an equalizer in the closing stretch. The Lions made several tactical substitutions, bringing on Jasmyn Clarke, Maggie Zagar and Sienna Caesar to inject fresh energy into the lineup. Joanna Abdelmalak created a dangerous chance in the 79th minute, forcing a save from Mazier, and Erica Di Matteo set up a late set piece opportunity with a corner kick in the 82nd minute. However, Guelph's defense managed to hold off York's late surge to secure the marrow road victory.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will look to get back into the win column when they travel down the QEW to battle the McMaster Marauders. York will look to split the season series with McMaster after dropping a narrow 1-0 match at home on Sept. 3. Kickoff from Ron Joyce Stadium is set for 4:00 p.m. You can watch the match live, free of charge on OUA TV.
