Uzodinma Ukagwu | Sports Editor
Featured Image: The Lions failed to defeat the Victoria Vikes despite their home advantage. | Courtesy of YorkU Lions
The Lions finished their season as U SPORTS silver medalists for the second season in a row. They lost their first two games to the University of Victoria Vikes, in a best of three series, 2-1 on Friday, and 3-1 on Saturday.
The Lions’ loss on Friday was their first loss of the season, as the team was undefeated in the regular season and play-offs. Most of the first half was scoreless, as both teams tried to break the deadlock.
The Lions’ first major chance came in the 10th minute, when Jaslan Stirling setup Prava Sandhu in the box, but her shot was saved by the Vikes goalie.
Erin Dawson opened the scoring for the Vikes in the 30th minute, but the Lions responded quickly with a goal of their own two minutes later, through Amber Sandhu after a cross from Stirling, to finish the first half 1-1. The Lions had a respectable first half overall, registering five shots to the Vikes three.
In the second half, the Vikes ramped up the pressure on the Lions’ goal, attempting seven shots in total, compared to four for the Lions. Their pressure paid off late in the game, when Dawson netted the winner, her second goal, ending the first game with a 2-1 win for Victoria.
Vikes’ Dawson and Lion’s Amber Sandhu were named Players of the Game for the first match.
The second game of the series took place on Saturday, and, this time, the Vikes came out swinging in the first half. Victoria dominated the opening half with eight shots, compared to just two from the Lions.
The Vikes scored two back-to-back goals in the 21st and 22nd minutes through Lindsay Cole and Stefanie Sajko, to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Maintaining the pressure in the second half, the Vikes added a third goal after the restart, courtesy of Cara Butler, in the 43rd minute. The Lions scored a consolation goal at the end of the game through Sidney McFaul in the 69th minute, to make the final score 3-1.
The stats reflected the Lions’ improved performance in the second half, as both teams recorded three shots.
Lions’ Sidney McFaul and Vikes’ Emily Wong were named Players of the Game for the match. Wong was also named MVP of the tournament, while veteran Lions’ defender Sara Vollmerhausen picked up the R. W. Pugh Fair Play Award.
The Lions failed to win the national championships for the second year in a row, but will likely have another chance next year, as many players from this year’s OUA champhionship team will be returning.
The Vikes, on the other hand, who won their first U SPORTS championship since 2008, and the 12th in school history, continue a recent trend of success for the CanWest Division. Before this year, the UBC Thunderbirds had won the national championship seven years in a row.
