The York University Lions men's soccer team executed on all cylinders on Saturday in Sault Ste. Marie, securing a 5-1 win against the Algoma Thunderbirds at Superior Heights CVS. Forward Anthony Morano led the attack early with a quick first-half push, setting the tempo for a relentless York offence throughout the match.
It wasn't long before York broke through, as, in just the fourth minute, Morano finished off an assist from Yigal Bruk to put the Lions ahead 1-0 with his sixth goal of the season, Morano doubled the lead in the 20th minute, striking for an unassisted goal, his seventh of the season to pull even with Christian Zeppieri for the U SPORTS lead in that department. Just five minutes later, midfielder Ryan Robinson added a third for the Lions off an assist from defender James Fidalgo, sending York into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
The Lions kept their collective feet on the gas in the second half. Substitute forward Luca Priolo netted his first goal of the season in the 57th minute to expand the score to 4-0. Algoma managed to break the clean sheet in the 72nd minute when striker Calen Doobay finished off an assist from Luke Broadhurst. However, York had the final say in stoppage time, as substitute midfielder Nakye Greenidge-Duncan put away a pass from Priolo for his first OUA goal to seal a 5-1 win for the Lions, moving them to 6-0 on the season.
Michael Williams started as goalie for York, stopping three of four shots on target across 61 minutes before Phil Roberts took over to close out the remaining 28 minutes. Algoma keeper Anthony Berganza made four saves under heavy pressure from York's offence, which registered nine shots on goal. Overall, York outshot Algoma 14-9 and committed just four fouls with zero cards issued, while Algoma picked up six fouls and two yellow cards, which were shown to Lilian Benjamin and Yuvraj Mann, respectively.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions and Thunderbirds will return to Superior Heights CVS tomorrow afternoon for the second leg of their weekend doubleheader to kick off the season's second half. Game time is scheduled for 3:15 p.m., as York will look to sweep the weekend road set before returning home to face Laurier on Friday.
