GUELPH, ON - Just as they were able to showcase during last year's OUA playoffs, the Gryphons men's soccer team has what it takes to play with the best teams in the country. Just over 10 months ago, the Gryphons and Lions combined to produce a thrilling OUA quarterfinal matchup that ultimately saw York escape with a 4-3 win in extra time. On Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, the two teams met for the first time in the 2016 season and once again produced an intense, one-goal affair. Unfortunately for the Gryphons, they were once again on the wrong side of that one-goal score line. The No. 1-ranked Lions scored in the 81st and 90th minute and left Guelph with a 2-1 victory over the No. 9-ranked Gryphons. The loss marks the first of the season for the Gryphons who fall to 3-1-2 (wins-losses-draws). York improves to 7-0-0.
Last year, the Gryphons usedÂ
Tomasz Skublak in a variety of roles. This season, he has found a permanent home up front and is quickly emerging as one of the most reliable goal scorers in the league. On Sunday, Skublak scored for a fourth straight game, giving the Gryphons a 1-0 lead over the top ranked team in the country with his goal coming in the 64th minute.
A long ball forward from keeper
Ben Caranci was chased down by
Jalen Noronha. Noronha's cross was tipped by the keeper but right to
Jace Kotsopoulos who calmly played the ball back to Skublak. As he has done all season long, Skublak showed great composure in the attacking area, taking one touch before firing home a low shot into the bottom left hand corner to ignite the home crowd. Skublak is currently in a tie as the OUA's leading scorer on the season.
With 10 minutes remaining, the York Lions would tie things up after heading home from a long throw-in. In the 90th minute, York would score the match-winner on a beautifully taken free kick from CIS First Team All-Canadian midfielder Jonathan Lao.
The Gryphons will look to rebound next weekend (Sept. 24 & 25) when they head to Western and Windsor for a pair of road games.
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