First-years steal the show, with rivalry matches looming in Week 2

Toronto, Ont. (via Ben Steiner) – The first few weeks of September are always intriguing, whether it's kicking things off on the pitch or in the classroom.

With stellar crowds at both football and fútbol over the weekend, fans got a peak at what looks to be an intriguing season on the pitch. Projects are developing at a few schools that have been out of the contending picture for several years.

It’s a shifting time in varsity soccer, and that’s especially true in the OUA, with regular contenders showing their strengths, but set to be pushed by some exciting new roster builds.

York, Guelph dominate opening games with youthful patience

The York Lions and Guelph Gryphons have consistently performed well over the last several years, often among the stronger teams in the OUA. Yet, their calmness and patience on the opening weekend was admirable. Both teams came away with two wins.

York opened their season with a 2-0 victory over the McMaster Marauders and followed it up with a 5-1 win over the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. Despite losing tactful midfielder Agostino Principato to graduation, the Lions got big performances from first-year midfielders Ryan Robinson and Yigal Bruk.

The new pairing helped push the attack forward, often drifting wide against McMaster and Laurier, allowing York to quickly make the most of transitionary moments. Head coach Carmine Isacco’s side took to Christian Zeppieri as their primary playmaker, with the midfielder scoring twice and putting up two assists after coming off a summer with the Canadian Premier League’s York United.

After spending most of his time playing high up in midfield or in the attack, Zeppieri dropped deeper in the build-up and controlled the game and transition moments for York.

The Gryphons found similar success down the road, beating the Waterloo Warriors 2-1 at home before taking all three points in a 3-0 road win over the Windsor Lancers. Third-year midifelder Ambrose Tinmouth left the opening weekend as the shots leader in the OUA with 10, but Matthew Glavanov scored three goals in the two games.

Despite Windsor missing CPL-U SPORTS draft pick Gianfranco Fachhinieri, the Gryphons didn’t look panicked in any moments and slowed the game down in possession.

For both York and Guelph, the early season is about experience, and both are shining bright heading into the second week of play.

Heated Toronto derby looms with two contenders, an exciting U of T project

The York Lions might have finished as OUA finalists last year, but all eyes will be on the Downtown Toronto Derby, which will take over Varsity Stadium and Downsview Park on Friday and Sunday as the TMU Bold battle the Toronto Varsity Blues.

While the Blues haven’t been at their best in recent years, which have been TMU’s best, both appear at similar levels heading into the rivalry matchup. While OUA veterans and award winners Colin Gander and Chris Campoli still take on big roles with the Bold, there’s a lot to like with their downtown foes as well.

Coming out of the opening weekend, Campoli looked as good as he has been, as the former MVP scored a hat-trick to open the season against the Queen’s Gaels. Meanwhile, the Varsity Blues put up an 8-0 win over the RMC Paladins and a 4-1 victory over the Trent Excalibur.

For TMU, it’s about finding the level they hit in 2022, allowing Campoli, Gander, and complementing young players to continue performing. Yet, the story developing with the Varsity Blues is enticing. Second-year and former pro Andrea Schifano scored a bicycle kick and added two assists in the win, while former Toronto FC midfielder Mehdi Essousi also scored.

Rookie Niklas Hallam cruised through a hat-trick against RMC, and while he wasn’t pressed too hard in the 8-0 win, linked up with Kingsley Belele and Ian Shibata throughout the match, enticing partnerships that could continue to develop.

Head coach Ilya Orlov has an intriguing project coming out of Varsity Stadium, mixing highly touted young players with experience in the OUA, the domestic professional game, and abroad – it’s early days, but what an opportunity it is, especially with the derby matches to come.