LIONS GET REVENGE IN WIN OVER WARRIORS
The York University Lions men’s soccer team thrashed the Waterloo Warriors 5-1 on Wednesday (Sept. 22) at York Stadium to remain undefeated at home this season.
The Lions went into the game looking for revenge against a Warriors team that stole a win from them last weekend (Sept. 18). The Lions certainly got their revenge and with it moved into sole possession of third place in the OUA West with 12 points.
The Lions dominated the match at both ends of the pitch, netting five goals on nine shots and limiting the Warriors to just three shots on goal. Goalkeeper Sotiri Varlokostas (Toronto) made two saves in another solid performance in goal for the Lions to earn his fourth win of the season.
The Lions lead the OUA league in scoring this season with 21 goals, seven more than second place Western.
Rookie Alon Badat (Thornhill, Ont.) opened the scoring with a goal just five minutes into the match that beat Warriors goalkeeper Rob McMillan (Newburgh, Ont.) and gave the Lions an early lead. Badat has three goals this season and is tied for fifth in OUA league scoring.
Third-year striker Adrian Pena (Woodbridge, Ont.) continued his impressive season with two goals (34’, 45’) and two assists in the game. Pena has six goals this season and sits second in OUA league scoring, one goal behind Niko Mavrikos (Victoria, B.C.) of the Western Mustangs.
Fourth-year midfielder Dominic Antonini (Winnipeg) scored his first goal of the season in the 45th minute to end the first half. The Lions went into halftime with a commanding four-goal lead.
The Warriors played a better second half, but could not generate any offence against a stingy Lions defence.
Midfielder Martino Belligero (Toronto) buried a goal in the 81st minute to end any hope the Warriors had at a comeback. In the 83rd minute, however, the Warriors finally drove through the Lions defence and midfielder Jesse Bean (Waterloo, Ont.) scored to break the shutout.
The Lions will be back in action this Sunday (Sept. 26) against the Laurier Golden Hawks. Both teams met earlier this season in a match that the Lions won 2-0.
By Cody Powell, sport writing assistant
