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Laker soccer teams ready for season (new)

Last year, both Nipissing University Laker soccer teams reached the playoffs for the first time. This year, they want to do it again and go further into post-season play.
Last year, both Nipissing University Laker soccer teams reached the playoffs for the first time.

This year, they want to do it again and go further into post-season play.

It all starts Saturday at the College Education Centre soccer field when the men and women’s team kick off their season, hosting Sudbury Laurentian University Voyageurs.

The men play at 1 p.m., followed by the women at 3 p.m.

The festivities start at 10:30 a.m. as the Lakers host the inaugural men’s alumni soccer match. Players from across the country, Calgary to Halifax, will take part and renew old friendships and share memories. Neil Craig, the Lakers first ever captain, will be joining the group.

“The alumni game will allow the Lakers to recognize the contribution made by former players and to say thanks you for laying the foundation for the program. It will be nice to see so many familiar faces and share some great stories,” Laker head coach Rob Celebre

The Lakers conclude their weekend matches Sunday against York Yeomen. The men start things off at 1 p.m. followed by the women at 3 p.m.

The Lady Lakers traveled to Montreal for exhibition matches last weekend.

In their first game, they defeated Dawson College 3-0. The Lakers took the lead early in the first half when Bernadette Dec redirected a Bailey Rudow corner kick at the 20-minute mark. The Lakers added another goal late in the half off a free kick. Courtney Cherrette quickly chipped the ball over the defending wall and found Dianne Landry all alone, who controlled the ball and drove it into the back of the net.

Amanda Carvalho rounded out the scoring, 14 minutes into the second half when she was sent in on a through-ball from Jessica Gillespie.

The Lakers then faced the Concordia Stingers and drew a 1-1 tie. Marlee Falcon found the range 30 minutes into the first half when she headed in a rebound from a Stephanie Muldoon shot.

Despite some lapses in defense, the Lakers managed to keep the Stingers off the scoreboard until the 87th minute when a misplayed pass-back was intercepted and capitalized on.

“We attacked and played possession ball extremely well, Lady Lakers head coach Vito Castiglione said. “Defensively, it wasn’t our best game”.

The Lady Lakers traveled to Ottawa to face an aggressive Carlton Raven squad and also came out with a 1-1 draw. Again, the Lakers were first to open the scoring as Carhalvo headed in a Kate St. Onge corner early in the second half.

“They (Ravens) came out hard from the start and played a physical game. This is typical of what we will see during the regular season. We weren’t prepared for that type of game,” said Castiglione. “I liked the way the girls responded in the second half. I think this game has helped us to become a better team.”

The Lakers men’s squad played their first game against the Laurier Golden Hawks and lost 2-0. The game was a back and forth affair and the Lakers had many opportunities to score, but were unable to find the back of the net.

“We fielded a very young team against Laurier and we looked good as we held most of the possession,” said Celebre.

The Lakers traveled to Hamilton to face a strong McMaster team and lost 1-0.
The Lakers played a solid defensive game, but couldn’t capitalize on any chances as Dave Orlando hit the cross bar late in the second half.

Oshawa’s Durham College Lords, one of Ontario’s premier teams, rallied for two goals in the second half to earn a 2-2 tie.

The Lakers, playing their third game in three days, pulled away early as Matt Prikken was pulled down on a breakaway and Carlo DeVuono scored on the penalty. Matt Prikken again provided a threat late in the first half as he scored a beautiful goal to give the Lakers the 2-0 lead.

In the second half the Lakers showed fatigue and the Lords took advantage to tie the game.

“These exhibition matches really gave the coaching staff an opportunity to observe and determine what options we will have during the regular season,” said Celebre. “We are very happy with the way the team performed and we look forward to getting the season started.”