Lions advance to semifinals with win over Golden Hawks

The No. 1 nationally-ranked York University Lions men's soccer team won its OUA quarter-final match with a 2-0 win over the Laurier Golden Hawks on Sunday (Oct. 26) at York Stadium.
 
The Lions had a nervy start to the game but were able to find their rhythm as the match progressed.
 
Jarek Whiteman (Brampton, Ont.) showed the first sign of danger at the ninth minute. The forward sent in a cross from the right flank, but the ball went over Dena Iezady (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and out for a throw-in.
 
The Lions drew the first blood in the 19^th minute after a well-taken header by defender Henry Moody (Toronto). Jonathan Lao (Unionville, Ont.) sent in the cross from a free kick, which Moody headed towards the goal. The keeper jumped for the ball, but it went over him and into the net.
 
Moody came close to scoring a second when a free kick that was deflected by the goalie. The ball landed on Moody's feet, but he skied the kick over the bar.
 
In the 27^th minute, Iezady received a pass from the left and ran straight for the goal. The Laurier goalkeeper went forward for the ball and Iezady chipped it over him, but the attempt went wide.
 
Lao took a corner kick on the first half stoppage time and the long ball found Moody again, who headed it straight for the goalkeeper.
 
Another free kick was awarded to the Lions at the 51^st minute. Lao delivered a cross that found Moody at the box, but Moody's header went wide off the mark.
 
Laurier's Aquan Morgan took a free kick from less than 30 yards out in the 54^th minute. Goalkeeper Colm Vance (Bradford, Ont.) was tested as the goalie deflected the shot. Another Laurier player was on the rebound, but the pressure from the Lions' defence was enough to put him off.
 
The Lions extended their lead in the 57^th minute after Eric Amato (Toronto) beat a scrambling goalkeeper to the ball and netting the goal. A high ball from midfield almost landed on Iezady's feet, but the goalie came out of his position to get a touch on the ball. Amato rushed in and fired it home for the team's second of the night.
 
With less than 20 minutes to go on the clock, the Lions kept the pressure upfield. De Vante Walker (Brampton, Ont.) outpaced the defender on the right wing and sent in an accurate cross that found Whiteman, who turned but sent the ball flying over the crossbar.
 
With the win, the Lions have advanced to the OUA Final Four Championships for the seventh time in the last eight seasons and will face the Toronto Varsity Blues in the semifinals at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ont., on Saturday (Nov. 1).

Source: York Lions