LATE GOAL GIVES GRYPHONS DRAW WITH LIONS
The York University Lions men’s soccer team earned just one point on Saturday (Oct. 23) with a 2-2 draw against the visiting Guelph Gryphons at York Stadium.
The contest proved to be a grudge match between two teams who refused to back down. On paper the Gryphons and their 5-3-7 record were to be overmatched by the Lions, who were 11-2-1 heading into the game, but the Gryphons fought hard throughout the game and were rewarded with a single point.
The cool, brisk winds gave the Lions an offensive advantage on their side of the field as they controlled the pace early. Mere moments after Brendan Springer (Burlington, Ont.) launched a shot that hit the Lions’ crossbar, CIS and OUA scoring leader Adrian Pena (Woodbridge, Ont.) gathered a quick pass and fired the game’s first goal past Gryphons’ goaltender Chad Paparoni (Burlington, Ont.).
With Pena controlling much of the game from the midfield, the Lions relied on the efforts of defender Jamaal Smith (Mississauga, Ont.) and goaltender Sotiri Varlokostas (Toronto) to anchor the backfield. Time and again, a Guelph player would try to maneuver the ball into the Lions’ offensive zone only to have it cleared far and away by Smith.
As the first half rolled on, it was the Gryphons’ turn to steal the momentum. Brendan Springer scored off a lovely touch pass from Dena Iezady (Richmond Hill, Ont.) to tie the score at 1-1. The momentum then swung once again in favour of the Lions as Gerard Ladiyou (Toronto) scored off a free kick from Pena in the 33rd minute to put the Lions ahead 2-1.
In the second half, falling rain replaced wind as the game’s natural factor and with it, the physical intensity between both teams seemed to increase drastically. The Gryphons resorted to hard tackles to prevent scoring chances from the likes of fleet-footed Dominic Antonini (Winnipeg), who managed to draw the first of two yellow cards. The physical play continued down the stretch as the Lions fought desperately to preserve their lead in the face of a full on Gryphon attack.
In what seemed like a fitting end to a highly competitive affair, Gryphons’ Robbie Murphy (Ottawa) salvaged a point for his team with a goal in the 88th minute.
The Lions still control their own fate when it comes to top spot in the OUA West. With a one-point lead over the Western Mustangs, the team can still clinch its fourth straight division title with a victory over the Windsor Lancers on Sunday (Oct. 24). Kick off is 3:15pm following the women’s game.
By Jon Careless, sport writing assistant
