Golden Hawks capitalize on red card, edge York 2-1 in season opener

NORTH YORK, Ont. - Laurier's women's soccer team edged out a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the York Lions in an OUA season-opening showdown at York Lions Stadium, thanks to timely goals from captain Jada Johnson and Jessica Breda.

The Golden Hawks wasted little time making their mark on the contest, as Johnson opened the scoring in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a defensive miscue with a quality strike that beat Lions goalkeeper Rumaysa Khan to give the Golden Hawks an early 1-0 lead.

The Lions battled back early in the second half when Giuliana Paolella found the equalizer in the 48th minute, leveling the score at 1-1 and momentarily shifting the momentum in York's favour.

The game's turning point came in the 62nd minute though, when Paolella, already cautioned with a yellow card in the first half, was shown a red card after a second bookable offense.

Forced to play the remainder of the match with ten players, the Laurier attack took advantage in the 68th minute after Breda scored the eventual game-winner on a left-footed strike for her first career OUA goal.

The Golden Hawks held firm in the closing stages to secure the win and three points to begin the year.

The second leg of the home-and-home between Laurier and York will kick off on Sunday August 30 at Ansley Alumni Field in Waterloo. Game time is 4 pm and admission is free.