By Chris Zorbas

The Windsor Lancer women's soccer team will be looking for their first win of the season when they hit the pitch Saturday evening to take on the Algoma Thunderbirds. The Lancers have a young roster and are coming off a tough season last year, but, with a new head coach in Daniel Mendonca, all eyes are looking forward.
 
Mendonca, who played in goal for the Lancers from 2007-12 and is widely respected both in the local and national soccer communities.
 
The first-year coach isn't harbouring any ideas of a quick turnaround, but despite a loss to McMaster and a draw at Brock, there's reason for excitement.
 
"Part of the process of building a winning program is dealing with tough experiences," explained Mendonca.  "Last year was an example of that, when considering a number of injuries and tough results. Combining those experiences with a talented batch of young incoming athletes excites our staff about the future of the program."
 
With 24 players either in their first or second years of eligibility Mendonca is expecting to deal with learning experiences, with a lot of different personnel pairings, and trying to develop as much talent as possible.
 
"We are looking to the first part of the season as a learning experience, to develop a large group of young athletes this season," he said. "We expect to use the depth of our roster to build toward a successful back half of the season."
 
Luckily for the blue and gold, while the youngsters learn the ropes of OUA soccer, Windsor has a few veterans they can lean on. Mendonca specifically mentioned fifth year defender Keely Baggio, and fourth- and third-year midfielders Jessica Paglia and Jade Samping who provide "a great environment for development of the soccer program."
 
The Lancers will no doubt be leaning on those veterans as they open up a three game homestand at Alumni Field. First the Lancers host Algoma on Saturday Sep. 7 at 6:00 p.m., then again on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
 
Next Friday, September 13th, the Guelph Gryphons come to the border city for 6:00 p.m. kick.
 
Season tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.goLancers.ca/tickets.