The University of Windsor Lancers women's soccer team battled the York Lions on Friday night in Toronto, Ont., where they found themselves falling by a score of 2-1 at York Lions Stadium.
GAME FLOW
The Lancers and Lions battled through a scoreless opening half, with both teams creating opportunities but neither able to break through. Windsor earned three corner kicks inside the opening 23 minutes, while Michaela Marenchin recorded Windsor's first shot of the night in the opening 20 minutes, sending an attempt just wide of the York net.
York began to generate more offensive pressure late in the opening half, forcing Windsor goalkeeper Izzy Barrette to make a save on Joanna Abdelmalak in the 30th minute. Abdelmalak later had another opportunity, but the Lancers defence came up with key stops to keep the match scoreless. The Lions continued to apply pressure before halftime, earning three consecutive corner kicks while Maia McConney and Sabrina Fabiano each registered shots. Windsor's defence held firm, sending the teams into the break scoreless at 0-0.
York broke the deadlock just over five minutes into the second half when Sabrina Fabiano found the back of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage. The Lancers looked to respond, with Teja Miljkovic forcing a save from York goalkeeper Charlotte Phillips in the 56th minute. Windsor continued to push forward, with Olivia Corazza sending a shot wide in the 70th minute before the Lancers created two more scoring chances late in the half.
Windsor came close to finding the equalizer in the final 20 minutes, with two Lancers attempts stopped by Phillips. York then doubled its lead in the 84th minute when Nia Fleming-Thompson scored to make it 2-0.
The Lancers continued to battle until the final whistle and were rewarded in the dying moments when an own goal by York cut the deficit to 2-1 in stoppage time. Windsor earned two corner kicks immediately after the goal, but the Lancers could not find the tying marker before time expired.
STATS
Windsor was led offensively by five total shots, including four on goal. Teja Miljkovic and Olivia Corazza each recorded a shot on target, while the Lancers also generated two additional on-target attempts late in the second half.
York held a 10-5 advantage in the total shots department and a narrow 5-4 edge in shots on goal. Both teams earned five corner kicks, while Windsor was called for six fouls compared to four by the Lions.
Izzy Barrette made three saves in the Windsor goal, while York goalkeeper Charlotte Phillips also recorded three saves to help secure the victory.
Sabrina Fabiano and Nia Fleming-Thompson scored for the Lions, and York also surrendered an own goal.
Windsor drops to 1-3-1 in OUA play with the loss, while York improves to 4-1-0.
UP NEXT
The Lancers return to action at Alumni Stadium this Sunday to face the Laurier Golden Hawks, with kickoff set for 1pm. Tickets available at golancers.ca/tickets and the game can be streamed online at oua.tv.
