Coming off one of the best seasons in the program’s history, the Nipissing Lakers women’s soccer team is ready to hit the pitch again.
The Lakers open up their regular season this Saturday, hosting their northern rivals, the Laurentian Voyageurs.
The game kicks off the season for both teams and is also the beginning of the Riley Gallo Cup and the 705 Challenge Cup.
Nipissing had an outstanding season in 2018-19 as they qualified for the post-season, finishing in fourth place in the East Division with a 7-4-5 record.
They earned a Round 1 victory in the playoffs as well, advancing to the second round.
Their opening opponent, the Vees, missed out on the playoffs by three points, finishing with a record of 4-7-5.
With a new head coach in place, the Vees will come into the game and season with a new look, but the rivalry always brings out the best in both teams.
The game is sure to be an exciting one and kicks off two straight home games for the Lakers to begin the season, on top of three of their first five played in North Bay.
Kickoff is set for noon at Nipissing Field Saturday.
Meanwhile, in men's Soccer with a lot of returning players, the Nipissing Lakers men’s soccer team is excited about its potential for the upcoming season.
Coming off a year where they advanced to the playoffs, knocked off Queens on the road and advanced to Round 2, the team is looking to add to their successful 2018-19 campaign.
Their season begins Saturday when they host the Laurentian Voyageurs as part of the Riley Gallo Cup and 705 Challenge Cup.
The team’s depth, as well as experience, will go a long way to any success the program has this year.
Coming off a 6-9-1 record, which had them fifth in the East Division, the Lakers will be looking to climb up the standings this time around.
Their foe Saturday is their closest rival, the Vees, who finished two points behind the Lakers last season, but qualified for the playoffs as well.
With the standings so tight at the end of last season, every game and every point matter and it begins with Saturday’s contest.
The two teams often bring out the best in each other and there is no shortage of effort when both programs hit the pitch.
Game time is set for 2:15 p.m. at Nipissing Field.
