Victoria Alarcon
Sports and Health Editor
Seven consecutive wins in two weeks, nine shutouts in the whole season and now four straight Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West division titles – it was just a matter of time before York’s men’s soccer team made it to the playoffs.
The Oct. 24 game ended in a triumphant 2-0 win against the Windsor Lancers, an opponent who was trying desperately to make it to the playoffs while York was desperately trying to keep their team’s name at the top of the standings.
“It’s good to be number one – we’ve been chasing the number one spot all season. It’s been four years in a row that we’ve won the OUA division. The record itself shows that we have a good team, we have a good program and it will continue to be a good program,” said third-year player Branko Majstorovic as he celebrated the team’s achievement.
The two teams played the ball aggressively – it was perhaps one of the most physical matches all season – with each player on the field trying to gain the upper hand. At the 31st minute, the game took a different direction as the first yellow card was called, the first of 10 called that game.
The biggest hit came when top goal scorer of the OUA, Adrian Pena, was knocked down and cut his lip in a collision with his opponent. His injury took him out of the game for the rest of the match.
“They’re fighting for their playoff lives while we’re trying to win the division. That’s how tactically some teams try to play against us, they try to be more physical,” said Lions head coach Carmine Isacco.
It was just after the red card had been thrown in the air against player Gerard Ladiyou in the second half that the York Lions were left to hold down their opponent, one man down, in the last minutes of the game.
For the three-captain defensive line of Jamaal Smith, Dominic Antonini and Majstorovic, this seemed to pose no problem. This dynamic trio has defended against tough opponents all season, including the Western Mustangs and Laurier Golden Hawks, and communicate on the field almost telepathically, making multiple passes back and forth and coming in at the right times to help each other out.
In an incredible one-on-one battle in front of the York net in the first half, Smith stared down his opponent and stayed with him every step. The six-foot-three giant stood firmly rooted and scooped the ball from his opponent, passing it toward Dominic Antonini, who pushed the ball out. If one ever got past Smith, Antonini and Majstorovic were always there to finish the job.
“It’s great chemistry,” remarked Smith when asked about his two defensive teammates. “I’ve been playing with these guys for at least three to four years now. Things just click better, great chemistry on and off the field, and we’re like a family.”
The game, however, would never have ended with a win if it weren’t for the two goal scorers of the match, Alon Badat and Moreno Alberti, who dominated for York in the first half. Alberti, who has been on the team for four years, finishes his last year with the Lions on the OUA goal-scorer leaders’ board with seven goals in the overall season. Badat, not to be outdone, finishes tied for third place with nine goals.
Badat sums up his strategy with few words: “It’s just the way you play and tactics.” A confident rookie on the team, Badat put the Lions on the board, making a quick run up the left wing of the field, and kicking a hard ball past the goalie.
The day ended in celebration as the Lions saw themselves one step closer to their goal of winning not only the OUA championship, but nationals as well. Captain Antonini likes to think the key to their suc- cess all season was the team’s ability to work hard.
“It’s about putting the work in, and coming to practice. We’ve literally been playing soccer every day since the middle of August and we’ve become successful because of the great coaching staff and a great group of guys.”
The team is looking forward to playing in the playoff rounds, seeing as last year the team was defeated by a lonely score of 1-0 against rival Western Mustangs. The team will rely on their key players to help the team move forward and stay focused.
“Now it’s do or die out there,” said Majstorovic. “You can’t slip, you can’t afford to make a mistake. Every tackle, every cross and every pass counts or else you’re out.”
The Lions will be put to the test starting Oct. 30 as the OUA quarterfinals are played on home field.
