CIS: York, McMaster draw in battle of Ontario heavyweights

The two heavyweight of men’s Ontario university soccer duked it out Wednesday. And, even though McMaster dominated the play, the nationally No. 5-ranked Marauders needed a late goal to get a draw with the undefeated and No. 1-ranked York Lions. Ryan Garnett scored the 85th-minute equalizer for McMaster, which had laid York under siege for most of the second half. Garnett’s goal came on a 25-yard free kick. Even though the game took place on York’s home turf, it was McMaster that took the game to the Lions, and it will give the voters something to think about ahead of next week’s poll. York came into the game at No. 1, with undefeated UBC at No. 2 and Alberta at No. 3. The T-Birds and Golden Bears drew 2-2 in Edmonton last Saturday. York got a first-half goal from Adrian Pena, his 15th goal of the season, to take the lead. Pena’s name will no doubt be tossed about by voters for CIS Player of the Year, as he has been a regular scoring threat for the Lions. And it will be interesting to see who from the pack of CIS top scoresr will be at FC Edmonton’s combine Nov. 28-30. It’s important because FCE, as it stands, looks to be the doorway to pro soccer for CIS players, as Canadian university alumni such as Paul Craig, Paul Hamilton and Elvir Gigolaj have successfully crossed over into the blue and black of the Eddies. But, despite York’s early goal, it was the lower-ranked Marauders who carried most of the play. According to the stat sheet, McMaster outshot York 9-1 in the second half. RELATED: CIS wrap: UBC, Alberta consolidate their positions (CLICK) Late goal gives Alberta a 2-2 draw with UBC in clash of CIS titans (CLICK)