The York Yniversity Lions men's soccer team's bid for a second straight U SPORTS title came to a stunning end Saturday night at York Lions Stadium, as the Guelph Gryhpons took down the defending national champions in the OUA quarter-finals.
The Gryphons took control early in the opening period. After York's Yigal Bruk rang one off the post in the third minute, Guelph broke the ice in the 20th minute when Jacob Cabral scored to make it 1–0. Just over three minutes later, Aiden O'Keeffe doubled the visitors' advantage in the 24th minute off a turnover from Lions keeper Michael Williams.
York pushed back to create quality chances, generating danger off headers and shots from Anthony Morano, and York earned a penalty kick opportunity in the 35th minute, but Christian Zeppieri sent his attempt wide right, leaving the Lions down 2–0 entering the break.
The Lions came out aggressive in the second half. In the 49th minute, York was awarded another penalty kick. This time, Morano stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, sending his shot past Guelph keeper Liam Glas to bring the Lions within one at 2–1.
However, Guelph responded in the 57th minute as Ambrose Tinmouth scored to restore the Gryphons' two-goal lead at 3–1. York mounted late offensive pressure through set pieces and shots from substitute Nick Harve and the aforementioned Morano, but Glas stood tall in net. The Gryphons locked things down late and completed the upset, taking this one by a score of 3-1.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions shift their focus to 2027 after their season ends prematurely following a 10-1-1 regular season, where they finished ranked second in the nation and spent three weeks atop the U SPORTS Top 10.
