The 2016 OUA soccer season gets underway this weekend as the Windsor Lancers soccer program hosts the Brock Badgers on Saturday afternoon on Alumni Field. 

After an intense training camp and pre-season, the Lancer women are excited to start what looks like a promising year. After posting a 6-9-1 record in 2015 the Lancers will look to improve on those numbers. 

With 10 of the team's 11 starters returning, head coach Steve Hart believes they are capable of improving on last year's fifth place finish.
 
"We have some exciting talent on the roster this season," said Hart. "We performed extremely well in our recent pre-season wins over Cornerstone and Northwood, giving a very mature and organized performance, and I am confident we can have a successful year."
 
The key to the Lancers success this season will be the contribution of fifth year midfielder Jaclyn Faraci and OUA all-stars Giulia Barile, Becca Feurth, and goaltender Krystin Lawrence. All four athletes bring a great deal of strength and leadership both on and off the field
 
Although the Lancers return 95% of their starting line, Coach Hart has brought in a very strong recruiting class that will add depth to the Lancer bench. Chelsea Zavitz of St. Thomas, ON has been brought in to help fill the void left by graduating defender Laura Lecce, while Abby Hunt, who joins Windsor from across the pond, will add another attacking dimension.
 
Meanwhile, the Lancer men's program is looking at a possible rebuilding year after losing half of the starting line graduation.
 
The Lancers finished the regular season ranked No. 3 in the country but saw an early exit from the post season following a quarter-final loss to the McMaster Marauders. With the addition of rookies Miguel Fontecha and Michael Dhliwayo, the Lancers will look to enhance their performance on the pitch.

"I believe Miguel and Michael will have an immediate impact on our game," said Hart. "I look forward to seeing them play in the OUA and how they mesh with our veterans."

In addition to Fontecha and Dhliwayo, the Lancer men will rely heavily on returning veterans Marco Bernabo and Tony Pollock to anchor the back. With these key contributors, along with Chris Al-Youssel, and Keegan Pittuck in the mid field, Iyowuna Jumbo at forward, and Kyle Vizirakis in net, the Lancers should prove to be a difficult challenge to anyone in the league.
 
The Lancers 2016 season kicks off on Saturday afternoon on Alumni Field as the women take on the Badgers at 1:00pm, followed by the men at 3:15pm. Windsor will then host the Marauders on Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm and 3:15pm.