SEVEN-GOAL OUTBURST LEADS LIONS PAST RIDGEBACKS
The York University Lions men’s soccer team began the 2010 season with a bang in their home opener on Sunday (Sept. 5) with a 7-0 victory over the UOIT Ridgebacks at York Stadium.
Third-year striker Adrian Pena (Woodbridge, Ont.), who finished second in team scoring last season with six goals, gave the Lions all the offence they would need with a goal five minutes into the game and another in the 22nd minute.
Also recording a two-goal game was Moreno Alberti (Winnipeg, Man.), a fourth-year forward and former CIS and OUA rookie of the year award recipient. Rounding out the scoring with one goal each were Martino Belligero (Toronto), Francesco Catalano (Woodbridge, Ont.) and rookie Alon Badat (Thornhill, Ont.).
The Lions (1-0) picked up right where they left off last season and showed no signs of rust. They were the top offensive team in the OUA West in 2009 with 30 goals in 14 games, and the seven scored on Sunday was the most of any team in the OUA on the opening weekend of play.
Goalkeeper Sotiri Varlokostas (Toronto) had an easy afternoon for the win, saving all three shots he faced.
The Lions controlled the ball for most of the game and gave the Ridgebacks few opportunities to get on the scoreboard. They peppered the UOIT net continuously, recording 23 shots in the game while allowing the Ridgebacks (1-1) just five. UOIT goalie Oliver Lietz made six saves in the contest.
The Lions hit the road this week for a game against the Western Mustangs (2-0) on Wednesday night (Sept. 8) in London and will be looking for revenge after falling to the Mustangs in last year’s OUA quarter-final match. Game time is set for 8:30pm.
