Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
The Algoma Thunderbirds women’s and men’s soccer teams opened their 2026 OUA home schedules on September 5th and 6th at Superior Heights Field in Sault Ste. Marie, welcoming the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks for a weekend of conference action.
After beginning the season on the road, both Thunderbirds squads were looking to make an impact in their home openers. Algoma’s women entered the weekend after suffering losses to the McMaster Marauders and Guelph Gryphons on August 28 and 29, while the men were also looking to establish momentum early in the OUA campaign.
Despite strong efforts from both programs, Algoma was unable to secure a victory against Laurier, with the women dropping both of their weekend contests and the men falling in their lone game.
Women’s Soccer Battles Laurier
The Algoma women opened the weekend on Saturday against the Golden Hawks and found themselves in an early battle.
Laurier struck first at the 6:57 mark when Genevieve Morgan scored her first goal of the season to give the visitors an early 1-0 advantage.
Algoma responded before halftime. At 36:37, Kay Tones found the back of the net for her first goal of the season, with Avari Holmond picking up the assist. The goal brought the Thunderbirds level at 1-1 and gave Algoma some momentum heading into the latter stages of the opening half.
Laurier, however, regained the lead just before halftime. Morgan scored her second of the contest at 45:00, assisted by Sophia Morgan, sending the Golden Hawks into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
The visitors added to their lead in the second half. Ashley Greco scored twice, finding the net at 73:35 and again at 84:21. Jessica Breda then capped off the scoring at 89:37, scoring with an assist from Vanessa Dias.
Laurier went on to secure the victory.
Algoma goalkeeper Paisley Pennington faced eight shots and made three saves, while Laurier goalkeeper Mya Brodrecht recorded two saves on three Algoma shots.
Sunday Rematch
The Thunderbirds women returned to Superior Heights Field Sunday afternoon looking to bounce back against the Golden Hawks.
Laurier once again opened the scoring, with Genevieve Morgan scoring at 15:47 on an assist from Sophia Morgan.
The Golden Hawks extended their advantage early in the second half when Taya Johnson scored at 50:27, assisted by Morgan.
Ashley Greco added another Laurier goal at 69:26 before Algoma responded.
At 79:01, Taya Shackleton scored her first goal of the season for the Thunderbirds, cutting into the Golden Hawks’ lead and giving the home side a late spark.
Laurier responded with two more goals in the final 10 minutes. Aaliyah Spence scored at 82:37, assisted by Sienna Di Blasio, while Annick Lariviere added another at 85:50, assisted by Eva Holzman-Sharfe.
Laurier ultimately came away with a 5-1 victory.
Pennington started the contest in goal for Algoma and faced nine shots, making four saves. Carolina Trs also saw action in net, making one save on one shot.
For Algoma, the weekend provided valuable early-season experience as the Thunderbirds continue to build chemistry and adjust to the pace of OUA competition.
Thunderbird Men Had a Tight Weekend with the Golden Hawks
The Algoma men also faced Laurier on Saturday, with the Thunderbirds and Golden Hawks playing a much tighter contest.
Algoma opened the scoring in the second half when Gabriel Etienne scored at 56:49, recording his first goal of the season and giving the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead.
The Golden Hawks answered at 76:00 when Etienne Gabriel scored to bring the contest level.
Neither side was able to find another goal, sending the match to its conclusion with the two teams deadlocked.
Algoma goalkeeper Peter Rogenthien made two saves on three shots, while Laurier goalkeeper David Carano also recorded two saves on three shots.
The Thunderbirds then returned to the field Sunday for the final game of their home-opening weekend.
The contest remained scoreless for much of the afternoon before Laurier broke through late. Andrea Chiechi scored at 80:49, giving the Golden Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Algoma pushed for the equalizer during the closing stages but was unable to find the back of the net, with Laurier holding on for the victory.
Rogenthien finished the game with two saves on three Laurier shots, while Carano was not required to make a save.
Thunderbirds Head to Waterloo
With the opening weekend now behind them, both Algoma soccer programs will turn their attention to their next OUA challenge.
The Thunderbirds women and men will hit the road on September 12 and 13 when they travel to Waterloo to take on the Warriors in OUA soccer action.
After a challenging opening stretch against McMaster, Guelph and Laurier, Algoma will look to regroup, build on the positives from the opening weekend and continue developing as the 2026 OUA season progresses.
