A solid 90-minute effort gave the Nipissing Lakers women’s soccer team their first victory of the year Saturday afternoon.
The Lakers began their season with a 1-0 triumph over the visiting Laurentian Voyageurs to not only start the year on a high note, but also go up 1-0 in the Riley Gallo Cup and the 705 Challenge Cup.
After a scoreless first half, where the Lakers outshot Laurentian 4-1, the lone goal came early in the second.
Sabrina Chabot fired home a loose ball that went off the post and into the back of the net.
It was Chabot’s first OUA goal and stood as the game-winner.
From there, Nipissing locked things down and veteran goalkeeper Mykaela Volpe was perfect, leading the team to victory.
Final shots were 8-4 in favour of Nipissing.
Up next for the Lakers is a home game Saturday, as they host the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks at noon on Nipissing Field.
The win moves the Lakers to 1-0 on the season, but also gives them the 2019 Riley Gallo Cup, taking back the trophy that had stuck with Laurentian for the past few years.
An early goal by Laurentian had them up 1-0 after just 10 minutes – a lead they would hold until late in the first half.
With just over six minutes left in the first, Ryan Roy tied the game with his first of the season.
The teams went to the break tied 1-1.
Things stayed even until the final minutes of the game before the Lakers struck to claim the win.
Deven Doodnath fired a shot from the outside that snuck into the corner of the net to put Nipissing up 2-1.
Despite a final push by Laurentian, the Lakers held on and claimed the three points.
Andrew Johnstone picked up the win in goal, finishing with 4 saves.
Final shots favoured Nipissing, 6-4
Nipissing is back in action next weekend, hosting Ontario Tech Saturday and the Carleton Ravens Sunday.
Both games are set for 2:15pm at Nipissing Field.
