The Lions’ men’s soccer team was defeated by a score of 1-0 by the Windsor Lancers on Saturday, September 26. It was the team’s first loss in the Ontario University Athletics competition in nearly two years, ending a 33-game winning streak which began in October 2013.
The Lions played strong and controlled possession throughout the game. Striker Michael Cox played especially well, coming close to scoring three times in the second half. “I think we created enough opportunities to win the game,” says Lions head coach Carmine Isacco, adding that the team nonetheless remained unable to score and that the Lancers had “one special moment and they capitalized it.”
That special moment came in the 89th minute, when Lancers rookie Jamar Redhead successfully managed to push a cross-pass into the net past Lions goalkeeper Colm Vance.
The Lancers are ranked eighth nationally in a ranking in which the Lions take first place. Though Isacco considers the Lancers a solid team, he does not believe that played the primary role in the outcome of the game. Rather, he emphasized that the Lions were “just a little complacent” and adds that they didn’t do well in the final part of the game.
The Lions had little time to brood over their loss as they were in action again the following day against the Western Mustangs who they defeated by a score of 3-1. Isacco called Sunday’s game a good response from the Lions to Saturday’s loss. “We had a chance to pick it up today. We played against a good Western team who probably played better than Windsor did the other day.”
Isacco points out that moving on from Saturday’s loss is the only way to go, and the team’s focus is now to ensure that they play at their best. “That doesn’t always guarantee that we’re going to win games,” he says. “But it guarantees that we can walk off the field with our heads held high.”
Though his team’s streak is now over, Isacco looks forward to the continued support from the York community. He challenges York community members to come out to support the Lions for 31 games of any sport in a row, referring to the Lions’ 33-game winning streak which has just ended.
“We hope that they embrace us, regardless,” he says. “We hope that they come out and support us.”
Hassam Munir, Sports and Health Editor
