Men's Soccer | 9/18/2026 4:00:00 PM
The York University Lions men's soccer team finds itself 5-0 to start the 2026 season in defence of their 2025 national title, and York's early-season play was also recognized this week, as the jumped the UBC Thunderbirds for top spot in the U SPORTS Top 10.
The Lions are coming off a big 5-1 win over the Windsor Lancers, defeating thm for the second time this season. Led by a hat-trick from Christian Zeppieri, the Lions won their fifth straight game to make them the only five-win team in the nation, and keep them one of only three undefeated teams in the country. Zeppieri has once again been dominant to start season as he chases his fourth straight OUA West MVP, currently leads all of U SPORTS in goals, assists, and points.
The Algoma Thunderbirds, York's opponent this weekend, have not had the start they wanted to the 2026 campaign. The Thunderbirds find themselves with a 0-4-2 start to the year and still searching for their first win. However, they did tie the Waterloo Warriors last week 2-2, while allowing only five goals in their last four games, including a pair of tough 1-0 losses, showing that things are looking up for the T'Birds heading into the weekend.
The Lions have generated the most offense this season in the OUA, averaging 3.75 goals per game. Algoma has struggled so far in that department, averaging just 0.67 goals per contest. The Lions are giving up an average of one goal a game while Algoma allows 2.17 goals a game.
A 2-1 final is exactly what happened the last time these two teams met at the end of the 2025 OUA Season. York would end up on top in that one with help of a goal from Anthony Morano, who will look to climb the OUA goals leaders ranking this weekend as he's currently tied for third with five goals.
The Thunderbirds will look to match the result the last time York travelled to Sault Ste. Marie, which was during the 2024 season. Algoma walked away from that one with a 3-1 victory after losing the night before in the first leg of a back-to-back to York 4-2.
The Lions and Thunderbirds will kick off at 3:15 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Both games will be played at Superior Heights Turf Field in Sault Ste. Marie, and are available live and free of charge on OUA TV.
