The Windsor Lancers Men's and Women's Soccer programs will kick-off their 2009 season this weekend with a pair of home games against the Laurier Golden Hawks and Waterloo Warriors.
Both teams have a tough test to start the year as they each face the OUA Champion Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday afternoon.
The Laurier men are ranked seventh in Canada while the Golden Hawk women enter the season ranked No. 6.
After an intense summer in the weight room and with the addition of a number of key recruits, the Lancer men are eager to take the field and test themselves against the nationally ranked Hawks.
A relatively young team in 2008, Windsor has added some experience and depth for 2009.
Arlo Hemkes, who joins the Lancers all the way from Holland and Luke Jaworski from London's White Eagles bring some much needed experience to the Lancer defense. Jaworski's White Eagles' teammate Jaggar Hassan is a strong mid-fielder that will also add depth to the front line.
Head coach Steve Hart thinks this season will be a turning point for the Lancers.
“This season we've added some much needed experience to our relatively young roster,” Hart said. “Our recruits experience, combined with our already strong team chemistry and growing talent creates a great balance heading into the seaon."
The Lancer women return a number of key players to their roster from the last year, including defenders Amy Blencowe, April LeClaire and Jessi Doucette. They'll be joined by forward Heather Daichendt and goaltender Rebecca Singer.
Windsor also added three outstanding local recruits in the off season. Joining the Lancers are Tecumseh's Kelly Riccardi, Windsor's Meresa Brownlie and Kingsville's Candace Garrod.
A standout from St. Anne's High School, Riccardi helped lead the Saints to a AAAA WECSSAA Championship and their 5th straight SWOSSAA Championship this past season.
A transfer from Western Michigan University, Brownlie graduated from Windsor's Catholic Central high school in 2006 where she was a city all-star for four straight seasons, and was named CCH's female athlete of the year in 2006.
They'll be joined by Candace Garrod who'll make the switch to the Lancer soccer program after a season on the Lancer track and field team.
“All three ladies will be a great addition to our Lancer squad,” said head coach Angelo Verardi. “They are accomplished, all around players and will help us move up in the standings.”
The Lancers then take the field on Sunday afternoon against Waterloo and will look to grab all three points in Sunday's match-up.
The Lancer women came to a 0-0 draw in both meetings last season against the Warriors.
On Saturday, the women will take to the field at 12:00pm against the Golden Hawks, and will be followed by the men at 2:15pm on Alumni Field. Both teams will take the field at the same times on Sunday against Waterloo.
