Fall semester is coming to a close, and it is now time to look back at the top 10 single game performances from the first three months of Lions action.
10. Ray Szeto – Men’s volleyball
November 9, v.s Ryerson Rams
Stats: 25 points, 20 kills, 4 digs, 3 blocks, 2 aces
On November 9, the Lions headed downtown to take on the Ryerson Rams in their third game of the season. This game held some significance not only because York was taking on one of their Toronto-based rivals, but because the Rams were also ranked ninth nationally coming into the game. After the Lions fell behind two sets early, Szeto rallied his team to three straight set wins to beat the Rams on their home court.
9. Jesse Messier – Men’s hockey
October 10 v.s Laurentian Voyageurs
Stats: 2 goals, 1 assist
In the Lions’ home-opener, Messier was sure not to send York fans home disappointed as the Lions broke down the Voyageurs 6-1. Messier was able to secure the game winner almost fourteen minutes into the first period and also assisted on the Lions’ third goal to send his team ahead 3-1. The captain would later add an empty netter as the Voyageurs desperately tried to claw their way back into the game.
8. Richard Iheadindu – Men’s basketball
November 14 v.s Waterloo Warriors
Stats: 22 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 4/10 three-point shots
The Lions found themselves in a bit of a hole after a rough second quarter that saw the Warriors outscore them 24-9 to take a 38-30 lead into halftime. But with the help of Ihedindu’s team-high 22 points, York was able to erase their fourth-quarter deficit, eventually winning the game 86-79.
7. Errol Brooks – Football
September 14 v.s McMaster Marauders
Stats: 193 yards on 20 carries, 9.6 yard per rush
In a game where not many had hope for the Lions, Brooks put together arguably his best performance of the season. He finished the game with three rushes of over 30 yards as the Lions put a scare into the then nationally ranked Marauders on their home field. Any game where a running back averages a first down almost every time he touches the ball is worth some recognition.
6. Sarah Fiorini – Women’s soccer
September 15 v.s UOIT Ridgebacks
Stats: One incredible penalty kick save (the rest doesn’t matter)
After struggling to find the back of the net early in the season, the Lions sported a 0-1-3 record heading into their matchup with the UOIT Ridgebacks at York Stadium. After a hard fought game by both sides, the Ridgebacks were given a penalty kick in the 89th minute with the game tied at 1-1. Instead of watching her team fall to 0-2-3 on the season, Fiorini became the hero as she knocked the UOIT shot away from her net. The Lions then turned right around and scored the game-winning goal in injury time to secure their first win of the season.
5. Myles Gibbon – Football
September 7 v.s Laurier Golden Hawks
Stats: 14-28 for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns, 14 carries for 155 yards and one touchdown
In the Lions’ first game on the new turf at York Stadium, Gibbon made sure to christen it in style. At one point, the Lions trailed the Golden Hawks by 15, but with Gibon leading the way, York earned their first win of the season in a 33-20 comeback.
4. Valerie Ushanova – Women’s tennis
October 13 at the OUA tennis championships
Stats: OUA silver medalist
Although Ushanova was unable to reclaim her OUA gold medal from the year before, a valiant effort throughout the entire season led to a second-place finish in at the OUA singles tennis championship. In a closely contested finals match, Ushanova fell by scores of 7-6 and 7-5.
3. Kirsten Dillon – Women’s volleyball
October 19 v.s Waterloo Warriors
Stats: 53 assists, 8 digs, 2 aces
In just the second start of her career, Dillon put on a performance to remember as York beat the Warriors three sets to one. Dillon finished the game with an eye-popping 53 assists, setting up four different teammates at least 10 times in the win.
2. Megan Lee – Women’s hockey
Stats: 37 saves on 39 shots
October 26 v.s Queen’s Gaels
Despite struggling much of the season, the Lions’ women’s hockey team brought their A game as they faced the nationally ranked Gaels in Kingston. Lee put together a stellar performance in net, backstopping her team to a come-from-behind shootout win.
1. Megan Lee – Women’s hockey
Stats 21-28 for 368 yards and 5 touchdown passes, 13 carries for 62 yards and 1 rushing touchdown
September 21 v.s Carleton Ravens
In their first game against the re-born Carleton Ravens, the Lions made sure to let them know they were still the new kids on the block. Gibbon was nearly automatic all day, missing just seven passes while scoring six touchdowns in the Lions’ most decisive win of the season 50-34.
