The Windsor Lancer men's soccer team came up short in a hard-fought battle against the Guelph Gryphons on Friday (1-2) and Sunday (1-3) this weekend.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED FRIDAY
On Friday, the blue and gold hit the road to Guelph for a showing under the lights. Guelph came out hungry, opening the scoring in the 20th minute of play. With no delay Giovanni Magliaro responded in drawing on his driving speed, finding the back of the net for the Lancers.
Starting the second half with a tally on both sides, teams had fire under their feet, determined to break the tie. In the 61st minute, Guelph capitalized on an offensive opportunity to take the lead. On the Lancer's side, Frankie Facchineri first had a wicked shot that went wide. Then, Robert Oates got in on the attack, firing a ball just over the Gryphons' nest. Despite the team's efforts, the Gryphons would hold the blue and gold to a one-goal differential.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED SUNDAY
Things were heating up early on the turf of Alumni Field for the Lancers Sunday afternoon. Frankie Facchineri showed up for the blue and gold in the 21st minute, scoring off a free kick cross from Robert Oates. The Gryphons then capitalized on a loose ball to tie the score in the 29th minute of play. Osayande Ibie would have a solid goal-scoring chance, connecting with a free kick by Robert Oates, but the tie-breaking goal would ultimately go to the Gryphons who delivered on a penalty kick only minutes before halftime.
 
The defensive tackles were many in the second frame with Mateo Nepszy, Robert Oates, and Grant Ferguson. The Lancers kept up the pressure but would in the end fall to the Gryphons as they secured the win by playing a ball off the post and into the goal.
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers now have a scheduled break before a weekend series against the Waterloo Warriors. The blue and gold will host the Warriors at Alumni Field on Friday, October 13th at 8:15 p.m. and then hit the road for an afternoon match on Sunday, October 15th at 3:15 p.m. Tickets for all home games can be purchased at goLancers.ca/tickets or at the gate. Live coverage can also be viewed on OUA.tv.