SOCCER SEASON KICKS OFF

The Loyalist Lancers women's soccer team kicked off their season with two tough matchups over the weekend. First up was the annual Friday Night Lights game that featured food trucks, games, activities & an incredible post-game fireworks display.

Despite a 4-0 decision in favour of the George Brown Huskies, the Lancers displayed marked improvements from their previous season, particularly with a more dynamic offense and better ball movement. Returning players Kellee Smith led the team offensively with aggression and while Brooke Balson held down the defence with tenacity and grit.  Veteran keeper Emily Mealing is back in the mesh with her trademark, crowd-pleasing saves

Sunday's match saw the Lancers fall  5-0 to the Centennial Colts, but the performance on the field showcased a more disciplined defense.

Head Coach Derek Arsenault praised the team's defensive improvements, saying, "We talked pre-game about needing to be more patient while defending as key against any OCAA team, and we did exactly that. The Lancers defending, as a team, was night and day from the home opener against George Brown,"

He also highlighted the team's effort against Centennial: "Holding Centennial to 1-0 at half, in a VERY windy day was absolutely fantastic. There were battles all over the field, and very smart soccer overall."

Despite the final scores, the weekend was an encouraging step forward for the Lancers as they continue to show growth and resilience while building on their 2024-2025 season improvements.