York Lions Win USports National Title

TORONTO, November 9 — The York Lions are national champions once again, defeating the Mount Royal Cougars 1–0 in extra time to claim the Sam Davidson Memorial Trophy on a snowy Sunday afternoon at Varsity Stadium. After 90 minutes of scoreless play and a tense first overtime period, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 115th minute. Tournament MVP Christian Zeppieri stepped up to the spot after a Mount Royal handball and calmly converted the penalty — his fourth goal of the tournament — to lift York to its sixth U SPORTS men’s soccer championship. The final was a demanding war of attrition, with both teams battling not only each other but also a slick, snow-covered pitch that made ball control and passing difficult. Clear chances were at a premium, forcing both sides to rely on disciplined defending and goalkeeping excellence. York’s Michael Williams was outstanding, making six saves and several critical stops in the second half and overtime to preserve the clean sheet. At the other end, Mount Royal’s Sjard Strauss was equally impressive, finishing with eight saves, including a spectacular denial of Zeppieri in the 98th minute to keep the Cougars alive. Mount Royal, appearing in its third national tournament, defended resolutely and looked dangerous on the counterattack, but York’s back line stood tall under pressure. Williams’ commanding performance between the posts anchored a defensive unit that refused to break despite mounting fatigue. The silver medal marks Mount Royal’s best-ever finish at a national championship, while York’s victory adds another chapter to the program’s storied history. With the win, York concludes the 2025 U SPORTS Men’s Soccer Championship as national champions, while Mount Royal finishes runners-up following an impressive postseason run that included victories over UQTR and other top seeds.