The #7 nationally ranked Lancer Men's Soccer team dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 shootout loss to the McMaster Marauders in the OUA quarter-finals on Saturday afternoon on Alumni Field.
The first half was well played as both teams moved the ball effectively and had chances to score on the opposition.
Despite the determination of both teams, the game remained scoreless heading into halftime.
In the second half, the Lancers turned up the intensity early on as Ryan Wise received a great pass and converted the first marker of the game to take a 1-0 lead.
McMaster didn't let the set back faze them as they continued to press on the Lancer defense and goaltender Dan Mendonca.
Mendonca made a number of great saves to keep Windsor in the lead throughout the second half.
However late in the game, the Marauders' Kyle Grootenboer tied it up following a scramble in front of the net after a McMaster free kick.
Still deadlocked at one at the end of regulation, the game progessed into overtime.
After an intense twenty-five minutes of play, the Lancers nearly grabbed the win with only three minutes remaining in the overtime period.
Windsor found themselves facing an open net and sent the ball sailing in its direction. However, the Marauder defense spoiled a Lancer win grabbing the ball less than a metre before it crossed the goal line.
As the match moved to a shootout, each team managed to score three goals apiece to send the game to sudden death penalty kicks.
With emotions on edge for both Windsor and McMaster, Windsor's Dan Mendonca came out of the net to be the Lancers sixth kicker. Unfortunately for Windsor, McMaster goaltender Matthew Grant read Mendonca perfectly and made the save to giv his team a chance for the victory.
The Marauders wouldn't miss on the opportunity as Omar Nakeeb managed to place the ball just out of Mendonca's reach for the upset win and a spot in the OUA Final Four.
The Lancers finished the season with its best record since 1993, going 8-2-5 overall and keeping their opponents off the scoreboard for ten games.
