Mitch Scott
Contributor
York’s women’s soccer team, the defending Ontario University Athletics (OUA) champions, hosted their second home game of the season against the Waterloo Warriors but came up short, losing 2-1. The Sept. 22 match gave the York Lions a chance to climb from last place in the standings and improve; before the game, they’d recorded only two goals this season.
The Lions started off strong in the first half, possessing the ball for most of the game and moving it up the field as much as possible. With their offence determined to find the net, York was caught on several occasions with an offside whistle.
The team’s stamina was evident, as the Lions forwards were too fast for the Warriors defence.
The first half was a physical game, with several heated challenges to win possession of the ball. More often than not, York’s five-foot-three Feli- cia Turone was in the mix, challenging girls who were a few inches taller than her.
“As a smaller player in the league, I like to be physical so that I can win more of the challenges,” said Turone. “You have to establish a physical presence if you want to win the ball.”
The first half ended in a deadlock, with no goals scored.
The second half started much like the first half did, with the Lions con- trolling the majority of the play. The Lions’ offensive attack finally made it work in minute 53 when Nicole Markowitz was awarded a corner kick. She crossed a pass perfectly into the goalie’s box where York Lion Alicia Donaldson was able to head it and make it 1-0 for the Lions.
Following the goal, the players kept pressing for another goal advantage. However, the Warriors’ strong defence continuously foiled any attempts to score. In minute 74, Rita Keimakh, one of York’s top mid-field players, struck the inside of the goal post, just missing crossing the net before it was cleared out by the Waterloo keeper.
The bad bounces became the Lions’ downfall as the Warriors tied it up in minute 76, with Tara Chadwick pushing past the Lions defence an sending a shot into the top corner of the net. The goal would prevent York keeper Sarah Fiorini’s chance at a 10th career shutout victory.
In minute 82, York made a su- perb play as Donaldson, York’s only goal scorer of the day, stopped a defi- nite goal by sliding to get rid of the loose ball.
The turning point of the match came when Waterloo Warrior Delta Pilote gained full control of the ball on York’s side of the field. Fiorini ran out to challenge the Waterloo striker with a sliding tackle that sent Pilote to the ground. She remained down for several minutes, as the Warriors were awarded a penalty kick.
With the clock ticking down, Nadine Parker was able to nail the kick right into the net, giving the Warriors a 2-1 lead and the victory in the final minutes.
After blowing a 1-0 lead, the Lions now stand to have five losses in their season.
“There was a lot of disappointment and frustration in the dressing room following the game,” said Turone. “We definitely need to work on finishing our chances, playing harder, keeping our head up and start playing with more heart and just get back on track.”
The women will have a chance to redeem themselves Sept. 29 when they face off against the Brock Badgers at 1 p.m.
