Uzodinma Ukagwu | Sports Editor
Featured Image: York peppered the Hawks keeper with 11 shots in the opening half. | Courtesy of YorkU Lions
Laurier was in town Thursday, as the York soccer teams hosted the Golden Hawks in the second game of their home-and-home series, the annual ‘Frosh Frenzy’ game.
There was a massive turn-out of students to support the Lions, led out by their various colleges as part of Frosh week activities. Neither team disappointed as the men extended their winning streak, and the women avenged last week’s loss.
Before the beginning of the men’s game, there was a short ceremony, attended by York President Rhonda Lenton, to recognize the men for winning the 2017 OUA championships. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the 2017 OUA Championship banner over the press box.
In the women’s game, the Lions were dominant in the first half, attempting 10 shots on goal, compared to just three from the Golden Hawks. The lions scored in the 32nd minute, courtesy of defender Jessica Lush, to take a 1-0 lead.
The second half was a more even affair, with the Golden Hawks slightly edging the Lions in shots by a single attempt. However, neither side was able to find the back of the net, as the game finished in a 1-0 victory for
the Lions.
The men’s game was quite similar to their previous outing, as the Lions again came out of the gate firing, scoring three goals on 11 shots, while only conceding a single shot attempt in the half.
The Lions scored the first goal in the 8th minute, through midfielder Cristian Cavallini, after he headed in a finely-delivered cross from winger Steve Kloutsouniotis.
Lions forward, Omar Marzouk scored the second goal of the match for the Lions in the 17th minute, after another assist from Kloutsouniotis, by lobbing the ball over the advancing Golden Hawks keeper. Marzouk also scored the third goal of the game in the 30th minute, assisted by Emmanuel Zambazis.
The Golden Hawks came out stronger in the second half, attempting eight shots, including arguably their best chance of the game in the 84th minute, when Lions keeper, Michael Constanzo, saved from close range.
Despite the added pressure, the Golden Hawks were unable to break York’s shutout, and they recorded their third clean-sheet of the season.
Marzouk wasn’t overly excited about his two goals. He was just happy to help the team win, and says he is already looking forward to the next game.
Both teams were back in action Friday, as they were taking on their conference rival, the McMaster Marauders in Hamilton.
The women won again, beating Mac 1-0, with the only goal of the match coming in the 6th minute, courtesy of Lush—her second consecutive game-winner.
The men, however, saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. However, their unbeaten streak continues, as the result of the match was a 1-1 draw. Zambazis scored for the Lions in the 21st minute, but Juan Buitrago replied for the Marauders in the 44th minute. The second half was a back-and-forth affair, but neither team was able to capitalize and come away with the victory.
Despite the draw, the men still currently sit atop the OUA West standings with a 4-0-2 record. The women, on the other hand, jumped all the way to second place thanks to their two-game winning streak.
Both teams return to the pitch this week as they travel to St. Catharines to take on the Brock Badgers on Sunday. The women’s game kicks off at 1 p.m., while the men will play at 3:15 p.m.
