The Windsor Lancers men's soccer team capped off an up-and-down weekend with their first win in almost two years on Sunday, Sept. 14.
The Lancers opened their weekend with a 4-0 loss on Friday night to the No. 5 nationally ranked York Lions, before taking down the Laurier Golden Hawks 2-1 on Sunday afternoon, their first OUA regular season win since October 13, 2023.
FRIDAY
The Windsor Lancers continued their search for their first win of the season as they hosted the York Lions at Alumni Stadium, with the lights shining and the Ambassador Bridge looming in the distance. The Lions, coming off a 1-1 draw against McMaster, were determined to return to winning form—and they did just that.
Windsor started strong, with early pressure and a near-miss from Issam Hassoun in the opening minutes following confusion in the York backline. Despite a promising start, it was York who struck first. In the 11th minute, a corner led to a loose ball that Marco Sciortino slotted home, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
The Lions carried their momentum into the second half. Just minutes in, another loose ball from a corner fell to Sciortino, who doubled the lead and left the Lancers chasing the game. In the 59th minute, York's Christian Zeppieri added a third, finishing a breakaway with a composed chip over Windsor keeper Nicholas Zanin.
Windsor continued to fight, creating chances through Nico Fontecha and Matthew Chimienti, but couldn't find the breakthrough. In stoppage time, Sciortino sealed his hat trick—and York's dominant performance—with a final goal in the 93rd minute, securing a 4-0 win for the visitors.
SUNDAY
Sunday was a different story for the Lancers, who came out determined against the Golden Hawks. The Lancers secured momentum early, as Robert Oates scored on a heavy shot from thirty yards out in the 15th minute to give Windsor an early lead that they would take into the half on an assist by Nico Fontecha.
Zanin kept his team ahead, making four of his six saves in the second half. Omar Soufan doubled the Windsor lead in the 49th minute, with Fontecha drawing his second assist of the match. Sam Ghouli brough the Golden Hawks to within one just three minutes later, but Windsor held firm for the remainder of the game. Laurier pressed late, but strong defensive structure from the Lancers made the difference, securing them their first win of the season and first since October of 2023.
UP NEXT
The Lancers improve to a 1-3-2 (W-L-T) record, and are back in action on Friday, Sept. 19 against the McMaster Marauders, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at golancers.ca/tickets, and the game can be streamed via oua.tv.
