It’s all in the numbers

Heading into the Ontario University Athletics men’s soccer season, the daunting task of moving on without a legend hovered over the York Lions’ heads. All-star Adrian Pena was vital in building the Lions’ program into one of the best in Canada, but a true victory for Pena would be if his team could continue their dominance on the pitch without him.
The Lions have proven that they can and will move on just fine without him very early in the OUA season. Here are some amazing stats the Lions have posted thus far.
17- the amount of goals the Lions have scored so far this season. No other team has even hit double digits yet.
7– different players have scored a goal for the Lions this season, and four players have scored three goals or more.
2 – the amount of goals that Jonathan Lao, Mark-Anthony Kaye and Joseph Cicchillo each scored in the Lions 8-0 blowout victory over the Brock Badgers.
7- the amount of goals first-year players Jonathan Lao and Dylan Sacremento have combined for Both men also hail from Unionville, Ontario.
4- the amount of games the Lions have played and also won this year. The Lions currently are ranked number one in all of Ontario, remaining the only team without a loss or a tie.
22– the amount of wins the Lions’ four opponents have combined for last season. The Lions won 14 by themselves in 2012.
2– the amount of goals the Lions have conceded so far this seasom, once again tops in the OUA. Brock has allowed a league high of 14.
5– the Lions play their next five of six games on the road, including back-to-back games in Waterloo against the Waterloo and Laurier.
1– goalkeeper Sotiri Varlokostas is the only fifth-year player on the team. He has also started every game for the Lions.
7– if the Lions manage to finish first place in the OUA West Division in 2013, it will be their’ seventh straight West Division title. They have not placed lower than first place since the arrival of 2012 OUA Coach of the Year Carmine Issaco.
2– York is ranked second in the nation behind the University.
Ryan McCabe
Sports and Health Editor