The Windsor Lancers men's soccer team returned to action with a draw and a loss this weekend.
On Friday, September 19, the Lancers earned a hard-fought draw against the No. 10 nationally ranked McMaster Marauders before falling 3-0 to the Brock Badgers on the road.
FRIDAY
The Windsor Lancers men's soccer team returned to Alumni Stadium on Friday (Sept. 19) night riding the momentum of their first win of the season last Sunday against the Laurier Golden Hawks, as they welcomed the McMaster Marauders. The Lancers started strong with early pressure, which nearly paid off inside the first 15 minutes when Sebastian Piatiewicz found himself with a golden opportunity only to be denied on the goal line by McMaster defender LeShawn Facey. The Lancers breakthrough came in the 27th minute after a sustained spell of offensive pressure. Second-year forward Nico Fontecha delivered a moment of brilliance, curling a shot off the post and into the net to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead which gave the team a vital edge nearing halftime. McMaster began pushing back late in the first half. The Lancers' backline stood strong, with Wilchrist Abdo making a key clearance off a Marauders free kick in the 37th minute. Just before halftime, the Marauders thought they had equalized, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside allowing Windsor to carry a narrow lead into the break.
The second half saw a more balanced affair, with both teams battling aggressively for control. McMaster's pressure eventually paid off in the 69th minute when Amir Shirazi capped off a well-executed team sequence to level the match at 1-1.
Windsor responded with urgency, creating several chances in the closing stages. Omar Soufan came the closest to restoring the lead, but his effort was saved by the Marauders keeper, and the Lancers were ultimately forced to settle for a draw.
SUNDAY
The Lancers returned to action Sunday afternoon looking to continue their recent upswing in form. However, they faced a tough test on the road against a high-energy Brock Badgers squad. Despite a competitive start to the first half, the Lancers ultimately fell 3-0 in St. Catharines, Ont.
Brock started on the front foot, registering a shot within the first minute and earning an early corner. The Lancers nearly capitalized on a miscue early as a poor clearance from Brock goalkeeper Nikola Neskovic landed at the feet of Skyler Pinnock, who fired over the bar from close range.
Luca Danesi was a threat for Brock, narrowly missing again with a shot wide of the post. Tensions rose as the half progressed, and in the final minutes before the break, Windsor's Sebastian Piatkiewicz was shown a straight red card, reducing the Lancers to ten men. Several yellow cards followed for both sides as the intensity grew. The game's opening goal came in first half stoppage time when Danesi broke down the left side and found Sebastien Agudo unmarked in front of goal, who tapped in the opener to give the Badgers the lead at halftime.
Brock doubled their lead in the 49th minute on a goal by Tiago Pereira. The Badgers put the game away in the 77th minute after Windsor conceded a penalty with Danesi stepping up and calmly converting from the spot, tucking the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 3-0.
UP NEXT
The loss drops the Lancers to 1-4-3 (W-L-T) on the season sitting. They'll look to get back to winning ways next weekend with a back-to-back series against the Algoma Thunderbirds in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. as they continue their road swing. Kickoff for game one on Saturday, September 28 is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. and can be streamed online via oua.tv.
