The Windsor Lancers men's soccer team faced a challenging weekend on the road, dropping both matches against the Algoma Thunderbirds in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. in a high-intensity OUA Western Conference back-to-back series on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28.
 

SATURDAY 

Windsor started Saturday's match brightly, controlling early possession and showing attacking intent. A short corner in the 7th minute led to a wide cross from Issam Hassoun, and Robert Oates came close with a 25-yard effort in the 16th minute. Despite Windsor's strong start, Algoma struck first in the 22nd minute on a chaotic sequence following a corner which Theo Hampton capitalized to slot home the opener. Just four minutes later, the Thunderbirds doubled their lead when a free kick was recycled into the box and Thierry Nsega delivered a delicate touch to make it 2-0. The Lancers pushed to get on the board before halftime, with notable chances in the 34th and 44th minutes, including a close header from Soloman Gambone, but the first half ended with Windsor trailing 2-0. 

The second half began with renewed energy from the Lancers. Just a minute in, a throw-in into Algoma's box caused trouble for the Thunderbirds, and Williams Ngueko's shot, initially off target, was redirected into the back of the net by Matthew Chimienti to bring the Lancers back within one. Windsor continued to press for an equalizer, building attacking sequences and putting pressure on the Algoma backline. But Algoma struck again in the 55th minute to score a third goal. 

A Thunderbirds counterattack led to another Algoma goal, this time finished off by Evan Hurren after a close-range scramble. Despite opportunities late in the match, Windsor couldn't find a way back, falling 4-1 in the first leg of the weekend series. 
 

SUNDAY 

Returning to Superior Heights Field less than 24 hours later, the Lancers looked to bounce back but again found themselves under pressure early. Algoma opened the scoring within the first ten minutes, with Evan Hurren netting his second goal of the weekend. The Lancers responded with a pair of strong chances, but went into the break trailing 1-0.

The second half began with more offensive intent from the Lancers. A dangerous cross from Hassoun found the head of Ngueko, but the effort went wide. The Lancers finally broke through. on a free kick that led to a series of deliveries into the box, with the final one finding Soloman Gambone wide open to tie the game at 1-1. Momentum swung in Windsor's favor, and minutes later, a corner kick caused chaos in the box. Amid the scramble, the ball fell kindly to the Lancers who tucked it away, giving Windsor their first lead of the weekend at 2-1. The Lancers joy was short-lived, however, as Algoma was awarded a penalty just minutes later, and Alessandro Cenedese calmly slotted it to the right corner, leveling the match at 2-2. With the match nearing full time, heartbreak struck for Windsor. In the 85th minute, Algoma earned a corner that was floated to the far post, where Dhiraj Joshi rose highest to head home the match-winner and seal a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory for the Thunderbirds. 
 

UP NEXT 

The Lancers leave Sault Ste. Marie with a record of 1-6-3 (W-L-T) despite strong efforts, particularly in Sunday's narrow defeat. Windsor will look to regroup and carry that energy into their final regular season matches as they'll return home in two weeks' time for a critical home-and-away series against their southwestern Ontario rivals, the Western Mustangs. The Lancers return to Alumni Stadium is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. on Friday, October 10. Tickets can be purchased online at golancers.ca/tickets, and the game can be streamed via oua.tv.