The York Lions kept busy during the fall term collecting many accolades. While we look forward to next semester, we also must look back and appreciate all the hard work York athletes put in while representing the Lions in Ontario University Athletics sports.
Among their collective achievements are an OUA gold medal,an OUA silver medal, three OUA athletes of the year, one Canadian Interuniversity Sport player of the year, one CIS rookie of the year, three appearances in the CIS top 10, 16 OUA all-stars, and a slew of upset victories.
The biggest surprise of the year— although it probably came as no surprise to his coaches and teammates — was the emergence of Jonathan Lao in the Lions’ men’s soccer team. Lao added a much needed boost to the team’s offence who looked to replace the goal scoring prowess of Adrian Pena. Lao wasted no time getting himself acquainted with the OUA ranks, scoring four goals in his first two games en route to an 11 goal campaign that finished with him being named the OUA West player of the year as well as OUA and CIS rookie of the year.
Another Lions standout was Anna Easty who was named CIS player of the year after York was only able to win one contest all season.
Easty spent her final two seasons with York, having played in the NCAA, bringing her invaluable experience to a young Lions’ squad. Despite the team’s losing record, Easty’s strong play was still enough for her to be named the player of the year, scoring three of the team’s nine goals. The Lions will miss Easty come next season, but OUA rookie of the year Shannella Fernando has given the Lions hope that their youth movement will come to fruition with the absence of Easty.
Among their collective achievements are an OUA gold medal,an OUA silver medal, three OUA athletes of the year, one Canadian Interuniversity Sport player of the year, one CIS rookie of the year, three appearances in the CIS top 10, 16 OUA all-stars, and a slew of upset victories.
The biggest surprise of the year— although it probably came as no surprise to his coaches and teammates — was the emergence of Jonathan Lao in the Lions’ men’s soccer team. Lao added a much needed boost to the team’s offence who looked to replace the goal scoring prowess of Adrian Pena. Lao wasted no time getting himself acquainted with the OUA ranks, scoring four goals in his first two games en route to an 11 goal campaign that finished with him being named the OUA West player of the year as well as OUA and CIS rookie of the year.Another Lions standout was Anna Easty who was named CIS player of the year after York was only able to win one contest all season.
Easty spent her final two seasons with York, having played in the NCAA, bringing her invaluable experience to a young Lions’ squad. Despite the team’s losing record, Easty’s strong play was still enough for her to be named the player of the year, scoring three of the team’s nine goals. The Lions will miss Easty come next season, but OUA rookie of the year Shannella Fernando has given the Lions hope that their youth movement will come to fruition with the absence of Easty.
York looks to carry their amazing fall semester results into the winter, when many OUA and CIS championships will be in sight. Both the women’s and men’s volleyball team look to do damage in the OUA playoffs after a strong first half of the season, while the Lions’ track and field team look to improve on last season’s breakout performance.
Ryan McCabe
Sports And Health Editor
