The York University field hockey team has completed the double! Capturing gold in both OUA and USPORTS, they are the first York varsity program to do so since the soccer team in 2015.
The field hockey team lost only once in the regular season, finishing first in the OUA East. They carried that dominance into the playoffs. They defeated the Guelph Gryphons who had the 2025 MVP, before overcoming local rivals U of T in the OUA final, securing their second OUA banner in four years—a clear sign of a dynasty in the making.
At USPORTS Nationals, a compelling revenge storyline awaited. The Lions lost to the Victoria Vikes on home soil in the national gold medal match. The two teams crossed paths again. First, they clashed in round 1 of the tournament, where they played to a 0-0 draw. They then met in the final where Juliet Redelaar scored in the dying minutes of the final period to earn York’s first National Championship against the team who beat them last year. The script writers definitely cooked with this one.
This article would not be complete without acknowledging the Lions’ stars Kathryn Carlow and Jewel Lew, both of whom were named OUA All-Stars. Carlow led the OUA in goals with 9, and Tye finished right behind her in second place with 7. Head coach Zeeshan Minhas was also the OUA Coach of the Year, a deserved honour after guiding the Lions to history. The double places them among the greatest teams in York history, and the way they earned it will be talked about for years. If this season is any indication, the rest of the country should brace for a new powerhouse in Canadian university field hockey.
York Lions bounce back from OUA final loss and clinch their sixth USPORTS Championship
The York University men’s soccer team have climbed back on top of the National soccer mountain after securing their sixth USPORTS National Championship–their first in 10 years,
THE ROAD TO THE NATIONALS
The Lions finished the regular season with a record of 9-1-2, sitting atop the OUA West for the fourth time in a row
OUA QUARTER FINAL
The Lions defeated the McMaster Marauders 3-2, thanks to a brace by Yigal Bruk and a goal by Christian Zeppieri
OUA SEMI-FINAL
Matthew Fischer’s 63rd-minute equalizer sent the game to overtime, then penalties, where the Lions won 5-3
OUA FINAL
The Lions lost their third straight OUA Final, this time to local rivals U of T at their home turf in overtime
USPORTS ROUND 1
The Lions ripped the Dalhousie Tigers 5-1. Christian Zeppieri led the scoring with a brace; Ryan Robinson and James Fidalgo also got on the scoresheet
USPORTS SEMI-FINAL
This was the same fixture semi-final last year, where the Lions lost 2- 1. This time, the Lions got revenge by winning 2-0, thanks to a Zeppieri goal and a Montreal own goal
USPORTS FINAL
The Lions faced the Mont-Royal Cougars in brutally harsh conditions; it looked like they were playing soccer in the Ice Age. But just as Scrat never gave up on chasing his acorn, York refused to let the moment slip away. The Lions held firm and secured their first national title in a decade, defeating the Mont-Royal Cougars 1–0 thanks to a composed Christian Zeppieri penalty.
It wouldn’t be right to finish this piece without acknowledging the Lions’ award winners this season. Yigal Bruk claimed the OUA West Community Service Award, Marco Sciroitino earned OUA West Rookie of the Year, and Christian Zeppieri made history as the first player to be named OUA West MVP three years in a row.
Credit is also due to head coach Carmine Isacco, who has anchored the Lions’ sideline for almost two decades. He has truly built a dynasty. We wish the Lions a strong offseason and look forward to seeing them chase an OUA Championship and defend their USPORTS national title.
