CIS men's soccer Wednesday roundup: Pena's hat trick leads No. 1 Lions past Ridgebacks

Source: Andrew Viarruel, York sport writing assistant

TORONTO - Adrian Pena led the charge with three goals against the UOIT Ridgebacks on Wednesday (Sept. 14) as the York University Lions men's soccer team won 6-0 at York Stadium.
 
It was clear from the beginning that he Lions were on the hunt as Pena (Woodbridge, Ont.) quickly snapped the first goal in the 3rd minute with the assistance of Casey D'Mello (Mississauga, Ont.) and Jarek Whiteman (Brampton, Ont.).
 
The Lions' offence continued to punish the Ridgebacks throughout the first half in close-quarter skirmishes, but York's defensive prowess shined through with quick, flawless footwork.
 
In the 32nd minute of play, the Ridgebacks blasted a shot at goal like a canon, but it was stopped with ease by York goalkeeper Sotiri Varlokostas of Toronto, his only save of the first half.
 
In extra time of the first half Pena extended the Lions' lead by taking a penalty kick and rocketing the ball into the back of the net for York's second goal of the match.
 
After halftime the teams returned to the field, ready and charged for the second half. The Lions marched onto the field with total confidence and quickly stretched their lead even further.
 
In the 60th minute Pena scored his third goal of the game, earning hat trick and extending the team's lead to 3-0. Just one minute later teammate Alon Badat (Thornhill, Ont.) scored his first of the game. York continued to dominate the second half with two more goals by Daniel Alonzi (Woodbridge, Ont.) in the 80th minute and Martino Belligero (Toronto) in the 83rd minute to wrap up the scoring.
 
Pena's three goals in the contest and Badat's one give them both five on the season, tying them with Western's Haris Cekic for the OUA lead through five games. For Varlokostas, the shutout represents his fourth straight this season and lowers his goals against average to a league-best 0.20.
 
With the win, the Lions continue their undefeated season with 13 points to lead the OUA West standings at 4-0-1. As for the Ridgebacks, the loss keeps them in ninth with an 0-3-0 record.
 
The Lions' next match is on Saturday (Sept. 17) at York Stadium beginning at 3:15pm, when the Guelph Gryphons (3-1-0) come to town.