The York Lions’ men’s and women’s soccer teams successfully defeated their counterparts the Brock Badgers and Windsor Lancers in their season home opener this past weekend, except for a tie between the Lions and Lancers in men’s soccer on Sunday.
Early on Saturday afternoon, the Lions’ women’s soccer team defeated the Brock Badgers by a score of 7-1. The 2014 Ontario University Athletics MVP Nour Ghoneim, who has an impressive career scoring average of 1.33 goals per game, scored two goals against the Badgers.
The Lions’ new goalkeeper Taylor Grant, who has played for the Jamaican national team in the past, made two saves in the game. Though only leading by 2-1 at halftime, the Lions dominated the second half as Kiyani Johnson scored her second goal of the game in the 82nd minute to round out the scoring in the game.
Later in the day, the Lions’ men’s soccer team faced the Brock Badgers and defeated them by a score of 2-0. Michael Cox scored a goal early in the second half, followed by another goal by Matt Stinson. With this victory the Lions extended their undefeated streak against their OUA competitors to 29 games, an impressive run that began all the way back in October 2013. As of the beginning of this season, the Lions come in at first place in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport weekly rankings.
On Sunday, the Lions’ women’s soccer team was once again on the field, this time to face the Windsor Lancers, one of the two other teams that are undefeated so far this season in the OUA West. The Lions ultimately came out on top with a final score of 2-1. Ghoneim scored a goal to tie the game at 1-1 in the second half, and freshman Johnson followed it up with another one, the third goal of her career in a total of three games played.
The Lions’ men’s team later came on the field to face the Windsor Lancers. The game was very balanced between the two teams, who ultimately ended it with a tie at 2-2.
The Lions’ Matt Stinson scored the first goal midway through the first half. The Lancers scored a few minutes later off of a rebound to end the half at 1-1. In the second half, the Lancers’ Michael Pio used spectacular footwork to get through the Lions’ defence and score his team’s second goal. The Lancers seemed poised to win the game until the Lions’ Jarek Whiteman scored in the 90th minute, tying the game. The Lions thus extended their undefeated streak to 30 games.
Overall, the four games seem to indicate that the Lions’ soccer teams, under coach Carmine Isacco, are ready to maintain the successful record they have upheld in past seasons. Last year, the Lions’ men’s team outscored its opponents 59-7, and scored 9-0 in six games of the playoffs. They won their eighth straight OUA West Division title, a second straight provincial championship, and a national championship.
The Lions’ women’s team has a strong track-record to continue as well. They outscored their opponents 53-5, making them the most improved team in the OUA and the best team with the best record in the CIS.
Hassam Munir, Sports and Health Editor
Featured image courtesy of Nabiha Rahman, Contributor
