TORONTO – The Western Mustangs got their regular season schedule off to a strong start on Friday night, scoring four times in the first half to cruise to a 5-2 win over the York Lions at Alumni Field.
 
Four different players found the back of the net for the purple and white, with Giulia Geraci leading the way with two goals, while Andrea Fraser, Julia Crnjac, and Kendra Marlatt scored one goal each. Kalifornia Mitchell and Kendra Saxton provided the offence for the Lions in the loss.
 
Fraser opened the scoring for the Mustangs midway through the opening half, marking her name on the scoresheet in the 26th minute. Crnjac quickly followed that up with a goal of her own three minutes later to give Western an early 2-0 lead.
 
Geraci made it 4-0 for the Mustangs with a pair of goals late in the first as the 2017 U SPORTS Rookie of the Year scored in both the 41st and 42nd minutes to set the scoreboard firmly in favour of the purple and white.
 
The Lions responded just seven minutes into the second half with a goal from Mitchell before Saxton scored in the 63rd minute to cut Western's lead to 4-2.
 
However, Marlatt answered back only 11 minutes later to round out the scoring and give the Mustangs a 5-2 win.
 
The Mustangs will wrap up their season opening weekend on Sunday afternoon on the road against the Guelph Gryphons. Game time at the Gryphon Soccer Complex is set for 1 p.m.