TORONTO, NOV. 6 – The York Lions, the reigning national champions, the will defend their title at home when York University hosts the 2015 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Men’s Soccer Championship from Nov. 12 to 15.
“We have high expectations,” says Lions men’s soccer head coach Carmine Isacco, two-time winner of the CIS coach of the year award. “We won our division, we won our quarter-final match, and now we’re in the semi-finals of the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) this weekend." The semi-finals, Nov. 7 and 8, are also at York University.
It is the first time since 1996, that York U will host the CIS tournament. Eight teams from across Canada will compete in the CIS Men’s Soccer Championship for a chance at winning the Sam Davidson Memorial Trophy.
“We’re going to have some very good teams here at the national championships,” says Isacco.
Last year, the Lions beat the McMaster Marauders 1-0 in the CIS final in Prince Edward Island Joey Cicchillo scoring the game winner off an assist from Jarek Whiteman. York U also won the trophy in 2010, 2008 and 1977.
In addition, the Lions will host two showcase games on Friday, Nov. 13 – Toronto FC Jr Academy vs Richmond Hill Soccer Club U16 at 4pm and Toronto FC Sr Academy vs Vaughan Soccer Club U17 at 6pm. “It’s an opportunity for area youth to experience the excitement and be part of a national level championship,” says Isacco.
There will also be a soccer clinic on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6pm with Asante Soccer Academy for its U8 to U14 players.
Watch coach Isacco and players Cicchillo and Jonathan Lao talking about the upcoming CIS championship.
For media accreditation, send requests to Alyson Fisher at alysong@yorku.ca by Monday, Nov. 9 at 12pm. Accreditation will be distributed on-site at York Stadium.
For the tourney schedule, visit the 2015 CIS Men’s Soccer Championship website.
For a list of Lions men’s soccer players and where they hail from, including Vaughan, Markham, Newmarket, Toronto, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Aurora, North York and Bradford, visit the 2015 Men’s Soccer Roster web page.
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Media Contact:
Sandra McLean, York University Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097 / sandramc@yorku.ca
