November 1, 2014

No. 1 Lions heading back to OUA gold medal game

York Lions forward Jarek Whiteman proved why he deserved the 2014 West Division MVP Award in the Lions 2-0 semi-final win over the cross-town Toronto Varsity Blues.

Toronto 0-1-0

York 1-0-0

Final

Toronto (0-1-0)

York (1-0-0)

Photo by Michael P. Hall

York Lions forward Jarek Whiteman proved why he deserved the 2014 West Division MVP Award in the Lions 2-0 semi-final win over the cross-town Toronto Varsity Blues.

With the Blues hanging around against the heavily favoured, no. 1-ranked Lions in the second half, Whiteman started to do what he's done all season: create offensive opportunities.

Tied at zero in the second half, Whiteman broke in on a run in the 64^th minute, and despite beating Toronto goalkeeper Rab Bruce-Lockhart, he could not beat the goal post.

It was a sign of things to come, though. Just one minute later, Whiteman broke in again and delivered a strong strike that Bruce-Lockhart was able to stop, but the rebound went directly to Lions defender Henry Moody who booted the ball into the back of the wide open net.

Toronto came close to evening the score just five minutes later thanks to some strong play from their own division MVP, Kilian Elkinson. Off an unusual bounce that led to a Toronto corner, Elkinson channeled his inner David Beckham and delivered a brilliant curving cross that Blues midfielder Ian MacNaughton headed on target. Lions keeper Colm Vance was up to the task, and thanks to strong positioning, made the initial save before punching the ball out of harm's way.

Whiteman sealed the victory for York shortly after, finding a seam in the Toronto defence, he received a well-placed ball from all-star midfielder Jonathan Lao and was finally able to beat both the Toronto goalkeeper and the post.

York played a swallowing defensive system the rest of the way, and was particularly strong at limiting the time and space Elkinson had to operate.

The Lions have now secured a berth in the CIS Championships taking place Nov. 6-9 in Charlottetown, P.E.I and aim to repeat as OUA champions when they meet the winner of McMaster vs. Ryerson in tomorrow's gold medal game taking place at 5:30 p.m. at Ron Joyce stadium in Hamilton.

The Blues will play in the bronze medal match tomorrow at 12 p.m., also at Ron Joyce Stadium.

York outshot Toronto 15-7 in the game, and also outshot the Blues 7-3 in shots on target.

Domenic Gullo, a late substitution by the Lions, received a red card in the game's final minutes and will have to miss the gold medal match as a result.