The men's soccer team looks to rebound after an unsuccessful 2016 season. Although the team made the OUA playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, goals are set much higher for the 2017 season.
 
And they expect to meet these goals under new head coach Steve Vagnini. Vagnini had recent success with the St. Clair College women's soccer program leading the team to a 2015 bronze medal. He was named Ontario College Athletic Association's (OCAA) Coach of the Year for three consecutive years from 2014-16, and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association coach of the year in 2015.  
 
Vagnini is excited for the season and serious about success, "In my eyes, everybody is a rookie, and in camp this year we have worked harder than ever before. It will be a fun year, but only if we work for each other as a team."
 
Windsor took a pre-season road trip to Sault Ste. Marie, ON for a pair of scrimmages against the Algoma Thunderbirds and Laurentian Voyageurs. The Lancers dominated the Thunderbirds 6-0 before narrowly falling to the Voyageurs 1-0.
 
The men kick off their OUA regular season with a challenging pair of games at home on Alumni Field against Guelph on Friday August 25th at 8:15pm, and on Saturday August 26th against the York Lions at 8:15pm.
 
Returning veterans who will be vital to the success of their 2017 OUA season include speedy midfielder Kyle Ruggaber who scored a pair of goals in 2016 and defender Anthony Pollock who started all 16 games in 2016.
 
The OUA regular season is short, and so is the men's training camp. There is not much time to come together as a team but 4th year defender Anthony Pollock doesn't feel it will be a problem, "A good portion of us played together in the summer. We know we want to be successful so I don't think we will waste any time blending as a unit."
 
Second year midfielder Bryce Phillips looks to improve on his stellar season after earning the honors of team MVP in 2016, while Thornhill, Ontario native Jamar Redhead is looking to lead the men's team up front with his physical presence.
 
Vagnini wants nothing less than success for the team this year. "I'm here to win, it's as simple as that," said Vagnini. "It starts with self-belief, work ethic, and that leads to championships. I think we have a lot of really good individual players, but we're not united yet."