The Marauders stumbled at their first hurdle on Sunday, losing the opening match of their 2014 season 2-0 to the York Lions in Toronto.

Christina Morelli and Francesca Pedulla had goals for the Lions, who improved to 2-0 on the season with the victory.

Offence was hard to come by in the early minutes of Sunday's game, with both teams struggling to find an incisive pass through a congested midfield. York's Aisha Lewis had the first quality chance of the match in the 13th minute, racing in from the left wing and firing a rising shot that Duffey had to react quickly to claw past the post.

The Marauders produced an opportunity of their own just three minutes later, as midfielder Amanda Jones looped a swinging corner into the box and it dangerously pinballed through traffic before heading out of bounds.

It was a well-worked move that got the Lions on the board, and began a period of pressure that carried York into halftime with the slim lead. Sydney Hoareau squared the ball from the left and found the unmarked Morelli in the box, who easily side-footed past Duffey in the 36th minute.

Play opened up considerably to begin the second half, with both teams enjoying scoring chances. But the Marauders continued to be thwarted by the final ball, and the Lions proved more clinical at the other end. After missing a quality chance a minute before, substitute Francesca Pedulla had the ball squirt to her in the box, and fired it across the goal and past Duffey for 2-0 in the 60th minute.

All that was left for the Lions was to defend the lead they had built, and they effectively held the Marauders at bay for the final half hour, en route to a convincing victory.

The Marauders will look to rebound when they welcome the Guelph Gryphons to Ron Joyce Stadium for their home opener on Saturday, September 6.