TORONTO, Ont. – The Western Mustangs women's soccer team closed out the season atop the OUA West Division for the second year in a row after earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the York Lions on Sunday afternoon.
 
The afternoon's match certainly had a lot of importance behind it: with only two points separating the two teams and first place up for grabs, both Western and York came ready to battle it out for the top spot in the division.
 
And intense it would be. The first half of the game would see both teams making numerous offensive pushes, with both sides' defensive units warding away any threats. Despite chances from both sides, the first 45 minutes would see the scoreboard sitting at 0-0 with neither the Mustangs nor Lions managing to take the lead.
 
As the second half started, the Mustangs were determined to take the advantage. Wasting no time, heavy offensive pressure paid off when Tianna Deluzio fired a shot past the Lions keeper only four minutes into the half, putting the purple and white up 1-0. With only a narrow lead, the game was certainly not over yet. Simultaneously fending off York attacks while also trying to further their lead, all units of the Mustangs squad were in action, battling hard until the final whistle. Their efforts would pay off as the Mustangs came away with the 1-0 victory, three points, and first place finish in the OUA West division.
 
The final match in regular season action, the Mustangs finish with an impressive record of 13-2-1 and 40 points, while the Lions finish at 12-2-2. On the individual front, striker Amanda Boyle closes out the season tied atop the leaderboard for goals scored with 21.
 
After finishing in first place, the Mustangs earn a first round playoff bi – giving them a week off before their first playoff match, which they will host next Sunday against a yet-to-be determined team.