With victory riding on his shoulders, Aurora Geosciences’ no. 3 player wasn’t fazed.

Marc Jubinville emerged victorious from a pressure-filled squash match at Better Bodies Fitness yesterday, defeating his opponent Drew Osborne three straight (15-4, 15-12, 15-11).

Thanks to Jubinville’s heroics, Aurora edged Assante 16-14 to win the Div. 1 league title.

“I’ve actually never lost to Drew,” Jubinville told the Star post-game. “But all the pressure was actually on me not to lose.”

New to the territory from the Lower Mainland, Jubinville found the evening squash scene enjoyable after spending his days as a substitute teacher.

Meanwhile, Osborne knew he was in tough against Jubinville.

“Marc handled me for most of the year,” Osborne admitted. “I was hoping to get off to a quick start, but I had no feel in my first game and made too many unforced errors.”

Osborne, also fresh to the Yukon by way of Ontario, said the squash league proved to be a “fabulous” winter pastime thanks in large part to the talented, committed community.

The pivotal Jubinville-Osborne match was the last match played in the championship final.

Assante captain Michael Tilbrook beat Aurora captain Doug Thorseth 3-2 (11-15, 15-6, 15-10, 11-15, 15-13) to open the championship in a battle of no. 2 players.

Aurora no. 1 Mustafa Syed then swept two-time defending league champion Mark Tubman 3-0 (15-11, 16-14, 15-8) to put his team in the lead.

The eventual team victory continues an epic run for Syed, who has won every Yukon event he has competed in this season.

Assante no. 4 Ben Grundmanis responded with a clutch 3-0 win (15-13, 15-9, 15-12) over Max Beauchamps in the third game of the final to put Assante back in front.

But it wasn’t meant to be.

The league title caps an epic month for Aurora, who weren’t even in the playoff picture until they hammered Assante 24-7 in the final regular season game to jump to second overall.

“We went into the last match in fifth place and catapulted ourselves into second,” said Thorseth. “Our team really put it together.”

Aurora downed Yukon Tree Services 16-14 in last week’s semifinal to earn a berth in the championship.

In other action last night, Earls Restaurant claimed third with an 18-16 victory over Yukon Tree Services.

Earls players Tyler Nesgaard, Shahid Syed, Glenn Rudman and Gary Tanner settled for third after finishing the regular season in first place.

The Div. 2 final will pit Yukon Brewing against Bluewave Energy Thursday night. The squash season will then conclude with the Yukon Open tournament, May 8 and 9.

This Friday, local squash pro Khoon Chua will be offering a free tutorial to interested players from 6:15 to 8 p.m.

Those interested can contact him at squashyukon.coach@gmail.com.