Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
Over the September 27th–28th weekend, the Algoma University Thunderbirds welcomed the Windsor Lancers to Superior Heights Field in Sault Ste. Marie for a pair of OUA soccer doubleheaders. It was a tough set for the women’s program, while the men’s side picked up back-to-back wins to continue their strong start to the season.
The weekend opened on Saturday with the Windsor women earning a 2–0 victory. Lancers striker Avery Comartin broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute with an unassisted effort before sealing the win in the 89th minute with her second goal of the match, assisted by Kailyn Robertson. Thunderbird keeper Paisley Pennington was kept busy, facing 14 shots, while Windsor’s Izzy Barrette recorded six saves for the clean sheet.
On Sunday, the Lancers struck again, this time earning a 3–0 win. Hannah Clark opened the scoring in the 25th minute with an unassisted goal, while Vanessa Corry doubled the lead in the 56th, finishing a setup from Zoe Penny. Robertson capped the scoring at the 70th minute with a strike assisted by Jane Pozzi. Pennington again faced 14 shots in the Thunderbird net, while Barrette turned aside five shots for her second consecutive shutout.
The Thunderbird men flipped the script in their weekend series, taking both matches from Windsor. On Saturday, Algoma cruised to a 4–1 victory. Evan Hurren opened the scoring in the 24th minute with an unassisted strike, followed three minutes later by Thierry Nsega finishing off a feed from Elliot Swenarchuk. Windsor answered early in the second half with Matthew Chimienti scoring in the 47th, but Algoma quickly responded. Alessandro Cenedese restored the two-goal cushion at the 56th minute, set up by Brett Finlay, before Hurren added his second of the day in the 69th minute to put the match away.
On Sunday afternoon, the Thunderbirds kept rolling, edging Windsor 3–2 in a thrilling contest. Hurren continued his hot streak, scoring in the 11th minute to give Algoma an early lead. Windsor pulled level in the 63rd with a goal from Williams Ngueko, and took the lead in the 77th minute on a strike from Mateo Nepszy. But the Thunderbirds rallied late. Cenedese equalized just a minute later from the penalty spot, and at the 86th, Dhiraj Joshi scored the game-winner, assisted by Nicolas Palmeiro, to seal the weekend sweep.
Looking Ahead
The Algoma Thunderbirds now prepare for a road trip to Waterloo on October 4th and 5th, where both the men’s and women’s teams will face the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in another OUA doubleheader weekend.
